Bangladesh eyes sending 100,000 workers to Russia within next year

Bangladesh is in discussions with Russia to increase manpower exports, with a target of sending up to 100,000 workers within the next year.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman made the proposal to the Russian authorities on Monday, who agreed to work on it expeditiously.

Currently, nearly 10,000 Bangladeshis are working in Russia, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two sides are expected to complete the necessary formalities in this regard soon.

Earlier, during his bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Minister discussed ways to increase bilateral trade volume and requested duty-free, quota-free (DFQF) market access for Bangladeshi products. He also urged steps to expedite the registration process for Bangladeshi products.

He requested Russia to invest in special economic zones and Hi-Tech Parks in Bangladesh, including in emerging sectors such as light and heavy engineering, food and agro-processing, petrochemicals, steel manufacturing and information technology.

Dr Khalilur also requested Russia's support for concluding a free trade agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC).

The EEC currently comprises five member states — Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

In addition, both sides agreed that the trade volume between Bangladesh and Russia remains well below its potential.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur emphasised the prospects for rapidly increasing Bangladeshi exports, particularly readymade garments and pharmaceuticals, to the Russian market.

In this regard, the Russian side welcomed a proposal to host a business delegation from Bangladesh in the coming weeks.

The issue of cooperation in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), also featured prominently during the visit.

The Foreign Minister proposed that a delegation specialising in the application of AI in agriculture and healthcare visit Bangladesh, to which the Russian authorities readily agreed.

The Russian authorities also expressed interest in assisting Bangladesh in preparing its national AI policy and establishing centres of excellence in AI.

Dr Khalilur held an official bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Monday.

The two leaders discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and wider cooperation in regional and international forums, including the United Nations.

Both leaders recalled that their friendship began four decades ago when they represented their respective countries at the United Nations.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur also recalled the historic contribution of the former Soviet Union during Bangladesh's Liberation War.

The former Soviet Union was among the first countries to recognise Bangladesh.

Both foreign ministers looked forward to celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2027.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia's commitment to widening and strengthening bilateral relations with Bangladesh.

He also warmly congratulated the Bangladesh Foreign Minister on being elected president of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur thanked Russia for supporting his candidature for the UNGA presidency.

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation in sectors including industry, power and energy, agriculture, research and technology, culture, education, tourism, transport and defence, and resolved to deepen cooperation in these areas.

He sought Russian support for Bangladesh's bid to become a full member of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), to which the Russian Foreign Minister responded positively.

Thanking the Russian government for the fuel loading of the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister requested Russia's full support in expediting the commissioning of the second unit as planned.

The two foreign ministers also discussed the recruitment of additional Bangladeshi workers for safe and secure employment opportunities.

They stressed the need for the early conclusion of all pending MoUs and agreements between Bangladesh and Russia, including the readmission agreement and the human resource agreement.

The Foreign Minister also requested the safe repatriation of several Bangladeshis stranded in Russia.

Foreign Minister Lavrov assured him that the matter would receive full consideration from the Russian government.

Both foreign ministers discussed the safe, secure and dignified repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their homeland.

Foreign Minister Lavrov indicated that Russia would be willing to assist in finding a lasting solution to the issue.

Thanking the Russian Foreign Minister for welcoming him to Moscow, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister invited his Russian counterpart to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

The Foreign Minister, accompanied by Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, is scheduled to return home on Tuesday after wrapping up his three-day official visit.