Russia to fast-track proposal to recruit 100,000 Bangladeshis within a year: Foreign ministry

Bangladesh and Russia are discussing a proposal to recruit 100,000 Bangladeshi workers for employment in Russia within the next year, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Russian authorities have agreed to move quickly on the proposal, which was made by Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman during his visit to Moscow.

"The two sides are expected to complete necessary formalities in this regard soon," the foreign ministry said in a statement today.

Currently, around 10,000 Bangladeshis are working in Russia.

Khalilur held a bilateral meeting yesterday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.

During the meeting, both sides agreed that bilateral trade, which has exceeded US$ 2 billion annually in recent years, remains below its potential.

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The Bangladesh foreign minister highlighted the prospects for increasing exports to the Russian market, particularly readymade garments and pharmaceutical products.

The Russian side also welcomed a proposal to host a Bangladeshi business delegation in the coming weeks.

Cooperation in technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), featured prominently in the discussions.

Khalilur proposed a visit by a Russian delegation to Bangladesh to explore the application of AI in agriculture and healthcare, a proposal that Russian authorities accepted.

Russia also expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh in formulating its national AI policy and establishing centres of excellence in artificial intelligence.

Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and Bangladesh Ambassador to Russia Nazrul Islam were present during the meeting.