-Russian Ambassador in Dhaka Alexander G. Khozin has said to enable the Russian companies to hire expat workers, the Russian government has increased the quota of recruiting skilled workers in case of non-CIS countries this year.
The non-CIS countries will have a quota of sending 235,000 skilled workers to Russia in 2025 compared to 156,000 skilled workers
The envoy said during the recent years, the multifaceted trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Bangladesh have been developing upward. Your country is our second largest trade partner in South Asia. In 2024, despite the existing global hindrances the turnover exceeded 2 billion US dollars.
Replying to a query, he said of course, the lion’s share of what Bangladesh exports to Russia is ready-made garments. Still, there is significant potential to diversify exports into pharmaceuticals, seafood, jute, leather products, fruits and vegetables.
Russia mainly exports machinery and agricultural products to Bangladesh. Food supplies constitute an essential part of bilateral trade. In 2024, Russian agricultural exports to Bangladesh grew by 44 % and exceeded one billion USD. Thanks to this dynamic, the country has become one of the top ten largest buyers of Russian food products – wheat, peas, and mustard seeds.
“Last year Russia shipped 3.9 million tons of wheat, which is 45 % more than in 2023, 237 thousand tons of legumes (threefold increase). Since 2023, the Russian company Uva-Moloko has been supplying dry milk to Bangladesh and plans to increase the volume several times during 2025–2026, up to 6 thousand tons per year. In order to support Bangladesh domestic agricultural sector, Russian manufacturers offer various fertilizers”, Khozin continued.
There are many Russian companies interested in supplying LNG, oil, petrochemicals, steel, rolled metal, ICT products and services., he added
“In order to keep up this positive dynamics, we should give special importance to stronger B2B ties. Both business communities should seek direct contacts, including by participating in various events, such as Saint-Petersburg International Economic Forum, Eastern Economic Forum, or Russia — Islamic World: KazanForum. At the same time, it is essential to explore new payment facilities and supply routes. In this context, a branch of a Russian bank in Bangladesh would serve the interests of both sides”.
Regarding the progress of Rooppur NPP, the Ambassador said as Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said during the solemn ceremony of the first fuel delivery in October, 2023, Rosatom builds nuclear power plants utilising the most advanced engineering solutions and technologies based on the most stringent safety standards as well as on environmental and conservation requirements.
Significant progress has been made in the construction of the country's maiden nuclear plant – Rooppur NPP. The construction works at the Unit 1 are over, now commissioning operations are underway. The unit is being prepared for the fuel loading and physical start up which is going to take place within few months. The Unit 2 is at the final stage of construction. This May it got connected to the 10 kW electric line – the Unit is now 'alive'. It needs to be emphasized that Russian State Corporation "Rosatom" spares no effort in order to commission the NPP within the scheduled timeframe.
Our Bangladeshi colleagues are making significant contribution to the project’s timely implementation. Around 15 thousand Bangladeshi people are currently working at the Rooppur NPP site, and in general about 20 thousand workplaces will be created in the future.
More than 6400 people have already completed their education in Russia, be it short-term courses or academic degrees. Moreover, some Bangladeshi employees have acquired outstanding, award-winning skills.
For example, in April this year Rooppur NPP team took part in the professional competition AtomSkills-2025 which took place in Russia’s industrial capital – Yekaterinburg. Two Bangladeshi welders – Abdul Khalek and Abdul Sattar – took gold and silver respectively.
In terms of the April Bangladesh Investment Summit in Dhaka, the envoy said the event provided a platform for exploring opportunities in one of the world's most promising emerging markets, characterized by economic resilience and investor confidence.
Bangladesh offers significant investment opportunities. The country's youthful and tech-savvy population, its strategic location and sizable consumer market, and its representatives, who are increasingly middle-class, are the drivers of potential growth.
Focusing on the general socio-economic problems faced by most states, the envoy said first, it is economic inequality. Despite global GDP growth, inequality continues to increase between and within countries. This creates social tension and can lead to political instability.
Second, geopolitical instability. Conflicts, provoked by Western countries, and illegal sanctions, imposed by them bypassing the UN Security Council, affect economic ties between states, leading to disruptions in trade and a decline in trust between regions.
For instance, the total losses only in 2023 incurred by the European Union as a result of restrictions against Russia and decisions to curtail economic activity with our country amount to approximately $1.5 trillion.
The "freezing" of a significant proportion of Russia's gold and foreign exchange reserves has prompted many states to reconsider their strategies in this area. In particular, countries, seeking to pursue independent policies, are actively returning to storing their savings in the form of gold bars.
The share of currencies other than the dollar and euro is increasing in international settlements. The energy market is in a state of uncertainty, which is having an impact on the global economy, too.
He suggested to be aware of the following changes to the demographics: the ageing population in developed countries and population growth in developing countries are affecting the labour market, pension systems, and demand for goods and services.
Finally, he said, it is digitalization. The development of technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things creates new challenges, including cybersecurity and the need to retrain the workforce.
At a rough estimate, at least several thousand Bangladeshi nationals live in Russia. They come for different reasons, mainly for employment and education. For us, Bangladesh is a new but promising source of labour force.
In 2024, we saw a drastic increase in the number of work permits granted for Bangladeshi migrants — 2777, with only 115 in 2023. They are employed at the Amur Gas and Chemical Complex, “Livadia” Ship Repair and Shipbuilding Plant, “Zvezda” Shipbuilding Complex.
Replying another question, he said the demand for workforce in Russia is expected to grow in the near future. To enable Russian companies to hire more foreigners, the Ministry of Labour has increased the quota for recruiting skilled workers from non-CIS countries: in 2025, 235,000 permits will be issued (compared to 156,000 the year before).
A significant portion of these are reserved for hiring workers on large infrastructure projects and in the industrial sector. Top sectors with low competition are construction, manufacturing, transport and retail.
