In spite of international sanctions on Russia, Bangladesh is still interested to continue its trade and is planning for alternative means. Russia has been a major supplier of wheat and fertilizer to Bangladesh and is also helping it to increase energy generation. The first nuclear power plant in Bangladesh is being developed at Rooppur, with assistance from Russia. Since some of Russian banks have been restrained from using the Swift payment system, a commonly used system for worldwide transactions, Bangladesh is planning to use Chinese currency as an alternative mode of payment in place of Dollar. Russia is a big market for Bangladesh which it cannot afford to lose. Currently 7 Russian banks have been cut off from the Swift payment system, but there are 300 other banks which are still open. The sanctions are also expected to affect development of the Rooppur nuclear plant which is scheduled to complete by 2024.
