M.A. Qader-Our Correspondent in Bangladesh
Dhaka, 05 May (Asiantribune.com): Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina on Monday provisionally approved a draft memorandum of understanding with Russia on installation of a nuclear power plant, officials with knowledge of the matter said on Monday.
Bangladesh and Russia finalized the draft to sign an agreement after the three-day negotiations in April in Dhaka on installation of a nuclear power plant.
Ministry officials said they expect an agreement to be signed later this month when a Russian minister is expected to visit Dhaka. The capacity of the power plant would be finalized in the final deal but the government decided to set up two plants each with 1000 megawatt capacity.
Russia did specify the financial terms which would be settled after the final agreement, sources said.
Sources said Russia was interested to provide loan, rather than grant. The Economic Relation Division will settle the terms and conditions.
Russia has supplied as many as 65 plants to Iran, India, China, Armenia, Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Finland, Bulgaria and Germany, including 10 in last year.
The first initiative to install nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in Rooppur in Pabna was taken in 1961.
Currently Bangladesh is facing acute shortage of power, which resulting in disruption of normal life. The government has taken some measures to manage load that include compulsory shutting down of markets and shopping malls by 8:00 pm. Load-shedding of power has become very common phenomenon in the country particularly in dry season.
-Asian Tribune-
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