The foundation of friendship between Russia and African countries creates the prerequisites for increasing trade, economic and investment exchanges and expanding cooperation in the banking sector. This was said today at the opening of the Russia-Africa Economic Conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said .
According to the minister, certain successful results in this direction have already been achieved. So, Russia's trade with African countries in 2018 exceeded $ 20 billion. Political interaction is also actively developing.
“We are confidently moving along the path of comprehensive expansion of Russian-African ties. The political dialogue intensified, including at the highest level, inter-parliamentary ties intensified”, - the Russian Foreign Minister emphasized.
It is noticeable that more than 1500 delegates - representatives of government and business take part in the conference. Particular attention during the discussion will be paid to the practical interaction of Russia and African countries in such sectors as energy, financial sector, railway infrastructure, mining, digital technologies and cybersecurity, as well as food security, education and health.
In the autumn of this year, the first ever Russia-Africa summit will take place in Sochi, in which the heads of about 40 African states will take part.
Presidents of Russia and Egypt Vladimir Putin and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will lead the summit.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo by Станислав Красильников/ТАСС