Bangladesh prepares Rooppur for commissioning. Officials also consider expanding nuclear technology.

Bangladesh has completed fuel loading at Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, while engineers examine minor issues before commissioning, science and technology minister Faqir Mahbub Anam said Sunday.

Mahbub said the government would not rush the country’s first nuclear power plant into operation and would require all tests, technical work, safety requirements, and international standards to be met.

Speaking at Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission headquarters in Dhaka, he said nuclear science and technology would be a key pillar of Bangladesh’s development. He cited potential uses in agriculture, food security, health care, cancer treatment, industry, and workforce development.

Mahbub also said Bangladesh is seriously considering small modular reactors, but any decision would depend on assessments of safety, technological capacity, and economic viability.

Rehan Asif Asad, an adviser to the prime minister, called for expanding nuclear medicine services nationwide.