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FE Online Desk | Published: June 23, 2022 21:22:06
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The Bangladesh government is going to import wheat from Russia, which is under Western sanctions due to the Ukraine war.
On Thursday, Food Minister Sadhan Majumder told parliament that Russia had offered to export 200,000 tonnes of wheat to Bangladesh. News from bdnews24.com.
It is learned that talks have been held with the Russian authorities and talks have been held with the officials of the Ministry of Food.
Russia has been embroiled in Western sanctions, including the United States, since the start of a military operation in Ukraine in February.
After that, Russia offered to export wheat and fuel oil to Bangladesh, but Bangladesh did not go that route at the risk of angering the West.
Highlighting the fact that Russia is difficult to open trade at this time, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said, "We are a poor country, a small country, a little too proud of us."
However, after various countries including India have started importing goods from Russia, now Bangladesh also wants to continue on that path.
Food Secretary. Ismail Hossain said, “There have been fruitful discussions with the Russian authorities on wheat imports. We have offered to import wheat. They have also shown interest in exporting. ”
He said another round of talks would be held on July 4, adding that "some more issues will be finalized there."
If wheat is imported from Russia, the price will be paid in dollars, said an official of the procurement and supply division of the food ministry.
The official, who did not want to be named, said: "There is an MoU on import of fertilizers and food from Russia. Bangladesh has promised to pay the import price in dollars. ”
Russia has been asked to ensure the supply of goods within 60 to 90 days, he said, adding that the issue will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.
The country has an annual demand of 60 to 70 lakh tonnes of wheat. In the last fiscal year 2020-21, apart from domestic supply, about 53 lakh tonnes of wheat was imported privately. In the 11 months of the current financial year, 23 lakh tons have been imported.