The Minister of Agriculture Md. Abdur Razzque has said that the export of potatoes to Russia will resume this year. Before Russia's ban on potato exports, many potatoes were exported from the country.
Recently, as Russia has lifted the ban, the initiative to export potatoes has been taken again. Export will start this year.
The minister said these things during an exchange of views with Ambassador of Russia appointed in Dhaka Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy at his secretariat office in the capital.
It should be noted that since 2014, Russia imposed a ban on the export of potatoes from Bangladesh due to the presence of brown rot disease in potatoes. Russia lifted the ban in March 2022 as Bangladesh government took many steps to make potatoes safe and bacteria-free.
Apart from potatoes, Russia wants to buy mangoes, cauliflowers and cabbages from Bangladesh. Russian Ambassador Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy said that Bangladeshi mangoes and cauliflowers are very tasty and of high quality. They have huge potential for export to Russia. I want to take mango and cauliflower to Russia quickly.
During the meeting, the signing of ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MoU) to import DAP and potassium fertilizers from Russia was discussed. Agriculture Minister said, we import potassium from Russia. An MoU exists between the two countries in this regard, which will be renewed. At the same time, we want to bring DAP fertilizer from Russia. A MoU in this regard will be signed soon.
The agriculture minister also said that Russia is a true friend of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has a deep relationship with Russia since the beginning of the independence struggle. I strongly believe that our relationship will remain intact. In the future, cooperation will increase in all fields including economic, social, cultural.
In response to the question of whether the voters have lost interest in the election, the Minister of Agriculture Dr. Razzque said the voters have not lost interest in the elections. Voter turnout in by-elections will be low, that is normal. There is still great interest and presence of voters in the National Assembly Elections, City Corporation, Upazila Parishad Elections, Union Parishad Elections. Where in developed countries about 40 percent votes are cast, in our country 80 percent to 85 percent votes are cast. There will be a massive voter turnout in the next general election as well.
