Russia and South African countries to boost trade-economic contacts

Russia and countries of the south of Africa are going to reinvigorate trade and economic relations. This was in focus at the Tuesday conversation between Russian Vice-Premier Vladimir Yakovlev and Prega Ramsamy, executive secretary of the South African Development Community.

Made up of 13 states, it is among the largest sub-regional African structures, press secretary Alla Yakovleva told journalists.

The two negotiators noted, particularly, a large potential existing for cooperation in the energy sphere, survey and the production of minerals. They also spoke about the development of mutual relations in the tourist industry. They have agreed to set up permanent joint business seminars on the basis of the Russian Chamber for Trade and Industry and the Industrialists' and Entrepreneurs' Union.

In November 2003 Vice-Premier Yakovlev will go to South Africa to resume the discussion of cooperation with states in the south of Africa.

In the 2002 figures, trade turnover between Russia and South Africa stood at 130 million dollars', Angola 51 million, Zimbabwe 35 million, Malawi 21 million, Mozambique 7 million dollars' worth. The volume of trade with other countries of the South African Development Community is insignificant.