Diplomatic Desk:
The Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed interest in establishing a joint ‘Russia-Bangladesh Business Council’ to further deepen and expand trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two nations. They also plan to organize a ‘Russia-Bangladesh Business Forum’ in Moscow.
Alexander Mantytsky, the Russian Ambassador to Dhaka, conveyed this during a courtesy meeting with Md. Fazlul Hoque, the Administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), at the latter’s Gulshan office on Wednesday afternoon (September 16, 2026). He stated that a formal announcement regarding this initiative could be made during the Intergovernmental Commission meeting scheduled to be held in Dhaka in early November.
During the meeting, the Russian Ambassador explained that the initiative to organize the forum in Moscow aims to facilitate direct interaction between entrepreneurs from both countries. The forum will feature various sessions, including direct B2B (business-to-business) meetings tailored to the profiles of the participating Bangladeshi businesspeople.
FBCCI Administrator Md. Fazlul Hoque urged a focus on new and promising sectors—alongside the ready-made garment industry—to boost bilateral trade. He placed special emphasis on sectors such as pharmaceuticals, leather and leather goods, jute and jute products, ceramics, and the export of human resources to Russia.
The Russian Ambassador informed the meeting that Russia’s Ministry of Health is already reviewing the procedural and legal aspects of importing generic medicines from Bangladesh. He also noted a strong demand for heavy footwear and leather goods suitable for Russia’s harsh winter climate. Furthermore, he mentioned that Russia has issued visas to approximately 3,000 Bangladeshi workers in recent months, driven by emerging opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, shipbuilding, and the service sector.
Additionally, the progress of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project was discussed during the meeting. Ambassador Alexander Khozin stated that approximately 4,000 Russian experts and engineers are working tirelessly to swiftly resolve technical issues related to the project, noting that work is progressing with the aim of supplying the first 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by next month.
Following the meeting, both sides expressed optimism that commercial ties between Bangladesh and Russia would be further strengthened in the future through the joint efforts of the government and the private sector.
Separately, in the afternoon, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dharmapala Weerakkody held a discussion with the FBCCI Administrator. He announced that the international trade fair “Sri Lanka Expo 2027” is scheduled to be held in Colombo from January 14 to 17 next year. He invited a trade delegation from Bangladesh, led by the FBCCI, to participate in the fair.
FBCCI Administrator Md. Fazlul Hoque responded positively to the proposal of sending a trade delegation to “Sri Lanka Expo 2027.”
Officials from the Russian Embassy and the Sri Lankan High Commission, along with FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir, were present at both meetings.
