Russian team due tomorrow to sign MoU

Nuclear Energy
Russian team due tomorrow to sign MoU
A three-member Russian delegation will arrive in Dhaka tomorrow to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on peaceful use of nuclear energy in Bangladesh, science and ICT ministry officials said yesterday.
The team, headed by a secretary-level official, is expected to sign the MoU the same day as the two countries earlier reached an understanding over exchange of nuclear technology for setting up nuclear power plants in Bangladesh.
“The Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) and the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (RSAEC),” MM Neazuddin, joint secretary of the science and ICT ministry, told The Daily Star last night.
He said a final contract would be inked between the two countries in this regard in near future.
However, ministry sources said more discussions at higher level of the two governments will be required for finalising the contract.
“Crucial issues like the cost of setting up such a plant need to be determined through discussion. If we sign a contract we might seek soft loans from the Russian government,” said a source.
A Bangladesh delegation headed by Science and ICT Minister Yafez Osman will visit Russia to see its nuclear power plants soon after the signing of the MoU.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved a draft proposal, prepared by the ministry, which explains how Bangladesh and Russia can cooperate with each other in peaceful use of nuclear energy, said a source.
The draft was prepared following three-day talks between Bangladesh government officials and a two-member Russian delegation in the first week of April.
During the talks, head of international cooperation of RSAEC Vladimir Averkiev briefed Bangladeshi officials about Russia’s nuclear technology and ability to set up plants.
Bangladesh has articulated its desire to set up two 1000MW power plants while Russia is keen to assist Bangladesh in this regard.
According to a paper prepared by the ministry, the estimated cost of a 1000MW nuclear power plant ranges between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. Experts say installation of such a unit will take at least five years since commissioning of the deal for the project.
Bangladesh has been negotiating with several countries for setting up nuclear power units.
France and China have also shown interest in helping Bangladesh develop nuclear power plants.
Bangladesh has bilateral agreements on nuclear cooperation with the United States, France and China.

Courtesy of The Daily Star