Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has been awarded the tender for the modernisation of the 3 MW BAEC TRIGA Research Reactor (BTRR).
The company signed the contract with the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) on Thursday.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the contract signing ceremony was held virtually between KAERI and BAEC.
Dr Md Sanowar Hossain, chairman of BAEC, Dr Won-Seok Park, president of KAERI, and Ambassador Lee Jang-keun attended the online event.
The project includes the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of digital I&C system of BTRR, which has been in operation since 1986.
The duration of the project is expected to be 18 months.
The project became KAERI’s sixth major technology export related to research reactors, after its successful partnerships with Jordan, Greece, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Netherlands, a spokesman of the Korean Embassy said.
It is also anticipated to be the stepping stone for further collaboration between KAERI and BAEC, including future research reactor development in Bangladesh.
Commenting on the development, Ambassador Lee said that the commencement of the project marks the beginning of the Korea-Bangladesh partnership in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and is opening a new chapter in the bilateral ties as the two countries move towards diversifying the areas of cooperation beyond the readymade garment (RMG) sector.
Ambassador Lee also noted that Korea, ranking sixth in the world in terms of the total capacity of nuclear power generation, is a world-leader in the peaceful use of nuclear energy from research to electricity production.
Fully committed to the international non-proliferation regime, Korea and Bangladesh will find further opportunities for cooperation in the future, he said.
Ambassador Lee looked forward to an early signing of the proposed MoU (memorandum of understanding) between KAERI and BAEC and meaningful progress in the discussions between the governments for the conclusion of the bilateral agreement on peaceful nuclear cooperation.