DHAKA, October 27. /TASS/. The construction in northwestern Bangladesh of Ruppur, the republic’s first nuclear power plant, involving Russia is set to become a historic benchmark in bilateral relations, the country’s Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said on Monday.

“So Russian Government is kind enough to extend economic help to develop nuclear reactors… So 1,000 megawatt and 1,000 megawatt, 2,000 megawatt of nuclear reactor constructed and developed by Russia is a great landmark treaty for Bangladesh and Russia,” the minister said in an exclusive interview with TASS.

The minister said this deal is important for the development of Bangladesh and the country will need new NPPs. “For that, we think once Russia is here, we do not want to change friend. Let nuclear friend Russia remain a friend of Bangladesh,” he stressed.

Inu said he is confident that this is a clean and environment friendly technology. Although initial investment is “high,” this energy is “very cheap” in the long-term prospect.

In January 2013, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina paid a visit to Moscow during which the sides agreed that Russia will provide a $500 million loan during the early stage of constructing the NPP.