Trade volumes between Bangladesh and Russia saw a jump of 16.5 percent to register figures of $2.7 billion in 2023, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantitsky said on Thursday.
"The joint efforts of our governments and business sectors have led to a manifold increase in bilateral trade flows. In 2023, despite the current global obstacles, it reached $2.7 billion and increased by 16.5 percent", Mantitsky noted during a joint round table organised by the Russian Trade Office and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Bangladesh in Dhaka.
He highlighted that Bangladesh has become Russia's second-largest trading partner in South Asia after India, despite disruption in supply chains caused largely by the West's unilateral economic sanctions on Russia and Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
The Russian envoy also mentioned that agriculture and energy were the two main fields of cooperation between the two countries.
The Russian envoy also mentioned that agriculture and energy were the two main fields of cooperation between the two countries.
"But it is not limited to this. Together with our Bangladeshi partners, we are seeking to expand and diversify areas of mutual interest", he added.
The diplomat further stressed that the economic partnership between Bangladesh and Russia would surge at a rapid pace if the two nations focus on expanding B2B (business-to-business) ties.
"Both sides should make efforts to establish direct links between the business communities", Mantitsky concluded.