Dhaka: Bangladesh and Russia have made substantial headway in trade and economic sector, says a Russian official mentioning thatDhaka is Moscow’s longtime and reliable partner in South Asia.

In late 2017, the bilateral trade volumes between the two countries reached $1.645 billion, an all-time high figure.

Russia’s$763million exports are dominated by agricultural produce (46.4 percent,$354.3million), machinery and equipment (25.8 percent,$196.7million) and chemicals (10.4 percent,$79.5million).

Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali is now in Moscow and scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Monday, reports the UNB.

This will be the fourth meeting between both Foreign Ministersin two years.

The last time they met was September 20, 2017, on the sidelines of the 72th session of the UN General Assembly.

During their talks, both sides will discuss the current status of bilateral relations and their prospects.

They will also coordinate their positions on topical matters concerning international and regional affairs.

In 1971, the Soviet Union was among the first countries to recognise the independence of the young state and provided it with substantial political and economic support during its assertion.

The people of Bangladesh honour the heroic feat of Soviet sailors who helped, between 1972 and 1974, with mine-disposal operations at Chittagong seaport after the Bangladeshi-Pakistani war and who also salvaged sunken vessels there.

Bilateral political dialogue continues to develop steadily and contacts are maintained through the foreign ministries.

Political consultative mechanisms and those aiming to fight international terrorism continue to function. Both countries exchange parliamentary delegations.

Moscow and Dhaka cooperate efficiently at the UN, agencies of the UN family and at other multilateral organisations, said the Russian Foreign Ministry.

In January 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to Moscow and held talks with President of Russia Vladimir Putin. Her visit provided a powerful impetus to the entire range of bilateral ties, said the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The 2013 agreements continue to determine the agenda of high-priority bilateral contacts, including energy and military-technical cooperation.

In July 2016, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev met Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the 11^th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Ulan-Bator.

Both sides reaffirmed their mutual striving to strengthen partnership in various fields.

The work of the Russian-Bangladeshi Commission for Trade and Economic, Science and Technological Cooperation will ensure more efficient business cooperation.

An agreement on the establishment of this Commission entered into force in March 2017.

Bangladesh is a major importer of Russian wheat, and the partners want to expand these purchases by one million tonnes annually.

The unfinished Rooppur nuclear power station is a flagship project of bilateral energy partnership.

Russia’s involvement in this construction project guarantees the long-term operation of over 100 national industrial companies.

Russian experience in the conventional power industry remains highly popular in Bangladesh.

In October 2017, Russia’s Inter RAO Engineering Co. commissioned a 210-megawatt power unit No. 5 at Ghorashal power station under a 2014 contract.

Russia and Bangladesh have an impressive potential for expanding their cooperation in the area of culture and education, said the Russian Foreign Ministry ahead of today’s meeting.

The Bangladeshi side has received 63 grants for students, due to enroll at Russian universities in the 2017-2018 academic year; and they will study free of charge at federal expense.