State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has said Bangladesh would seek a duty cut on its exports to the Russian market during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s upcoming visit in addition to seeking Russia’s support to resolve the Rohingya crisis and strengthen energy cooperation.

“Russia is gradually becoming a big market (for Bangladesh). Duty is the biggest impediment to enhancing trade. So Far I know there is still a 35 percent duty for shipments to Russia,” he said.

The State Minister, while talking to a small group of reporters at his office on Thursday, also talked about Bangladesh’s trade-related discussion with the Eurasian countries – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. “We hope Russia will help us as a big player.”

He said the Russian Foreign Minister will be here on a brief visit but they are working really hard to maximize his stay in Dhaka.

The Russian Foreign Minister is coming to Bangladesh on November 23 mainly to attend the 22nd IORA Council of Ministers (COM) meeting to be held in Dhaka on November 24.

Russia is a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) while Bangladesh is the current chair of IORA.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen recently hinted that considering the current situation, Bangladesh will explore the possibility of cooperation in the energy sector with Russia during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s planned official visit here.

Bangladesh will also discuss food grains supply and quick implementation of the projects that are in the pipeline including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

The Russian Foreign Minister will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apart from his bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.

The visit will give us an opportunity to highlight our challenges and priority issues with Russia, Foreign Secretary Masud told reporters on Sunday.

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Masud also said Bangladesh wants Russia closer to Bangladesh to find a solution to the Rohingya crisis.

The Foreign Secretary, however, said there are still many days and reminded that Russia remains in an intensive situation.

"The invitation to take part in the IORA meeting for Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov has been received and the work is on as regards the possibility of this visit," an official at the Russian Embassy in Dhaka told UNB.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Momen invited his Russian counterpart to attend the 22nd IORA Council of Ministers (COM) meeting to be held in Dhaka on November 24.

Momen met his Russian counterpart last month in Astana, Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the CICA Summit and apprised him of the current situation of the Rohingya.
 
He stressed the need for stronger international support for resolving the Rohingya crisis.

In August, Sergey Lavrov met with his counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin and other top Myanmar officials in Naypyitaw.

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