Govt may sign MoU with Russia on food import

Bangladesh may sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russia soon to import some food items as those were offered at competitive prices, said Senior Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh yesterday. 

Russia sent a letter to the commerce ministry recently expressing intent to sell wheat, lentil, sunflower seeds and chickpeas.

Moreover, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy also met Ghosh at his secretariat office in Dhaka a few days ago to make the offer.

Of the items, the food ministry has been importing wheat from Russia and the commerce ministry is not planning on availing it, Ghosh told The Daily Star over the phone.

However, the commerce ministry will discuss the Russian offer with private sector importers and officials of other ministries concerned as it is open for all, he said.

"If we agree with the Russian proposal, an MoU may be signed soon between the two countries for importing those food items from Russia," said Ghosh without mentioning any exact date.

However, Ghosh said Bangladesh was interested in importing the sunflower seeds and chickpeas through state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh.