Thursday, May 14, 2009
Bangladesh and Russia yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to pave the way for exchanging nuclear technology and setting up nuclear power plants in Bangladesh.
Acting Chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Md Mosharraf Hossain and Deputy Director of Russian Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation NN Spasskiy signed the MoU on behalf of their countries.
Spasskiy is leading a three-member experts team from Russia that arrived in Dhaka yesterday to sign the MoU.
As per the understanding, the two countries acknowledged that the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and assurance of nuclear- and radiation-safety are important factors in ensuring social and economic development of both the states.
"Russia will assist in the development of nuclear energy infrastructure in Bangladesh," reads the MoU signed at the science and ICT ministry at Bangladesh Secretariat. It mentions that the two sides are interested in establishing a joint working group to define the specific joint projects facilitating implementation of Bangladesh's plans to develop a safe and viable nuclear industry.
As per the understanding, Russia will supply Bangladesh with nuclear materials and provide services in the field of nuclear fuel cycle in accordance with national legislations of the two states and international treaties to which both Bangladesh and Russia are parties.
The MoU also includes terms for cooperation in education, training, updating skills of administration, scientific and technical persons and radioactive waste management.
The MoU singing is the result of a fruitful negotiation between officials of Bangladesh and Russia in early April. State Minister for Science and ICT Yafes Osman said, "Bangladesh and Russia moved one step ahead regarding cooperation in nuclear technology."
Talking to reporters after the signing ceremony, he said, "We have also signed such MoUs with USA and China. Now we will assess them and opt for the one that will be best for Bangladesh and its citizens."
The main point of the MoU is building more confidence between the two nations for peaceful use of nuclear energy in Bangladesh, he added.
Asked if Bangladesh will choose Russia for setting up the nuclear power plant, he later told The Daily Star, "Let us see who is coming with what proposals."
A Bangladeshi delegation will soon visit Russia to see nuclear power plants there.
About the cost and fund of such plants in Bangladesh, Yafes said the MoU is a very preliminary step and more discussions are needed to resolve crucial issues like managing funds. He expressed hope that the fund for the proposed nuclear power plant would not be a big problem.
Yafes said initially they would set up a 600-1000MW power plant at Rooppur to resolve the country's electricity crisis.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Project was conceived in the early 1960s and 260 acres of land was acquired for it.
Spasskiy said neither technology nor financing would be a problem to set up nuclear power plants in Bangladesh. "Our technologies are the best in the world and we will offer a very competitive proposal to Bangladesh for installing plants," he told reporters.
"It is an important moment. We have signed the MoU which enables us to start working and practical cooperation on both sides about matter of interests and define the areas of cooperation," he said, adding that the governments of both the countries will now decide the matter.
"The prospect of the cooperation is in the designing and afterwards in the building of the first ever energy nuclear reactor in your country. It will also imply a radical change to the situation of electricity in your country," Spasskiy said.
Describing Bangladesh as "not only a longstanding friend but also a strategic partner", he said, "I hope both the countries will proceed to the signature of a final agreement as soon as possible."
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had approved the draft of the MoU last week.
Energy Adviser to the Prime Minister Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Law Secretary Habibul Awal, senior officials of the science and ICT ministry and Russian Ambassador in Dhaka GP Trotsenko were present at the MoU signing ceremony.
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