DHAKA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh and Russia Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) here to enhance cooperation between the two countries in peaceful use of nuclear energy.

    Main purpose of the MoU signed between the state-owned Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) and the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation-Rosatom, is to take necessary steps for setting up a 600-1000 MW power plant in Bangladesh, officials said.

    "This is a great moment for us. Through signing of this agreement, we are moving forward to implement our election commitment to build up a nuclear power project," Science and ICT State Minister Yeafesh Osman said at the signing ceremony.

    NN Spasskiy, Deputy Director General of Rosatom, who signed the agreement on Russian part, said, "This agreement will enable us to provide avenue for cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy. But one thing is in our mind to design and build Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant."

    BAEC acting chairman Mosharraf Hossain signed the MoU on behalf of his organization.

    Both sides, however, termed the MoU a very preliminary stage after an initial negotiation. If negotiation proceeds on, a state level agreement will be signed later.

    The science and ICT state minister Osman said that Bangladesh has earlier signed similar agreements with China and the United States.

    "We will seek proposals from other countries and finally accept the one which will be the most competitive for Bangladesh," he said.

    The state minister said it might take 4-5 years to implement the planned 600-1000 MW nuclear power plant in Rooppur site, in Bangladesh's western Pabna district, about 200 km from capital Dhaka. The cost of the plant might be 1.5-2 billion U.S. dollars.

    Spasskiy, also head of Russian delegates who arrived here on Tuesday, said Russia is confident that its proposal will be "quite competitive."

    Official sources said the MoU includes taking necessary measures for installation of reactors for power generation and development of other infrastructures for setting up a nuclear power plant, supply of energy for the plant and operation and maintenance and also the waste management of the plant.

    A Bangladeshi delegation is now planning to visit Russia to see Russia's nuclear power plants and also may hold final negotiation.

    Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in March told the national parliament that her government, which took office on Jan.6 this year, will set up a nuclear power plant to meet the growing demand for power.