According to Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Bangladesh will ink a nuclear power deal with Russia.

The minister said that the pact will be signed on peaceful use of nuclear technology, which also includes the establishment of a nuclear power facility.

Moni said, "On May 21, Yeafesh Osman (state minister for science and information and communication technology) will sign with Russia a framework agreement on peaceful use of nuclear technology."

The signing of a deal between two nations will end a 50-year-old quest.

A nuclear power facility to be set-up under the agreement will help manage the power crisis in the long run, she said.

The foreign minister said that both the signing countries would forge other deals required for establishing the planned Rooppur nuclear plant in Pabna district.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will offer up technical help, including the site safety standard to Bangladesh.

On May 13, 2009, Bangladesh and Russia entered into a memorandum of understanding in Dhaka agreeing to increase cooperation for peaceful use of nuclear energy.

In an announcement, the power ministry said that Bangladesh fabricates around 4,000MW of electricity on a daily basis against a minimum daily demand for 6,000MW. (With Inputs from Agencies)