In a pivotal move to bolster food security and strengthen economic ties, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) and Russia’s JSC Foreign Economic Corporation ‘Prodintorg’, affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement, signed at the Bangladesh Secretariat’s commerce ministry conference room, aims to facilitate the importation of essential commodities into Bangladesh.

The signing ceremony saw Brigadier General M Ariful Hasan, Chairman of the TCB, and Andrey Golovanov, General Director of ‘Prodintorg’, representing their respective organizations. The event was graced by notable figures, including State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantysky, Commerce Ministry Senior Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh, and other high-ranking officials.

State Minister Ahasanul Islam Titu emphasized the importance of Russia as a steadfast friend and development ally to Bangladesh. He expressed optimism that this MoU, alongside other agreements in the pipeline with India and Myanmar for essential goods, will play a critical role in ensuring the nation’s food security. Following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directives, the commerce ministry is dedicated to widening the market reach for Bangladeshi exports.

The initiative for this collaboration was sparked by a note from the Russian Embassy in Dhaka, dated June 22, 2023, where Prodintorg expressed its willingness to supply crucial items like turmeric, chickpeas, lentil, and sunflower to Bangladesh. This MoU marks a significant step in the continuation of those discussions, paving the way for a strengthened partnership between the two nations in the realm of trade and economic cooperation.