Bangladesh proposes Russian-funded wheat silo at Payra port

Food Minister Afroza Khanam has proposed building a wheat silo with Russian financing on unused land at Payra Sea Port in Patuakhali, with an initial storage capacity of 200,000 metric tonnes that could be expanded to 500,000 tonnes.

Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Khozin welcomed the proposal during a courtesy call on the minister at her office, according to a press release.

During the meeting, Khozin proposed exporting wheat to Bangladesh under a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement. He also suggested building a Russian-funded wheat silo at Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar.

In response, Afroza said the proposal to import wheat from Russia at the government level would be reviewed and a decision communicated later.

Regarding the proposed silo at Maheshkhali, she said finding suitable land for such a large infrastructure project in Cox’s Bazar could be difficult because of land shortages.

She suggested considering unused land at Payra Sea Port as an alternative, noting that the port already has the necessary infrastructure and transport links to support a large-capacity wheat storage facility.

The minister said the silo could initially have a capacity of 200,000 metric tonnes, which could be increased gradually to 500,000 tonnes. Once established, the facility could store wheat imported from Russia.

She said the stored wheat could later be sold to private wheat importers in the domestic market, while the government could also purchase it when necessary.

According to the minister, the proposed facility would strengthen Bangladesh’s wheat supply and storage management while creating economic benefits for both countries.

She added that a silo at Payra Sea Port would facilitate the efficient transportation of wheat to major distribution and supply centres, including Narayanganj and Baghabari in Sirajganj.

Afroza invited the Russian ambassador to visit Payra Sea Port to assess the proposal’s feasibility. She said an on-site inspection would help determine a suitable location, assess infrastructure requirements and facilitate decisions on project implementation.

Khozin welcomed the proposal and expressed interest in exploring it further.

Describing Russia as a longstanding friend of Bangladesh, the minister said both countries were interested in strengthening their existing relations and expanding trade and economic cooperation.

She expressed hope that closer cooperation and exchanges of experience would benefit the people of both countries.

Russian Embassy First Secretary Anastasia Nemova, Food Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana, Directorate General of Food Director General Md Jashim Uddin Khan and officials from the Ministry of Food and related offices attended the meeting.