Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has said they will explore all the possible options including Russia and countries in the Middle East in coordination with the relevant ministries for purchasing fuel.

“Since the instruction has come today (Tuesday), we will work in coordination with relevant ministries. Definitely we will explore all the possibilities,” he told reporters on Tuesday, noting that they need to develop the refining capacity further.

The Foreign Secretary said Bangladesh maintains very good relations with all countries in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. “We have many options.”

He said Bangladesh can also purchase crude oil from Russia like India but Bangladesh needs to develop the capacity to refine Russian crude oil.

Read: No need to hike fuel price if BPC’s corruption and mismanagement end: CPD

The Foreign Secretary indicated that some experts might come from abroad to see how to develop the required capacity for refining crude oil from Russia.

Responding to a question, he said Iran is also a possibility as the Western countries’ negotiation with Iran is underway regarding withdrawal of sanctions. “It’s good to have an increased number of options.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the government wants to purchase fuel, fertiliser and wheat from Russia.

She mentioned that she had given the responsibility to her Principal Secretary to talk to the Russian Ambassador in Dhaka regarding the matter.

“The foreign ministry can take initiative in this matter, we will procure fuel oil from them (Russia) with our own funds as the SWIFT is closed and the price of dollars is very much high,” the PM said.