Russian trade increases to US$3.6bn
Russia's trade with sub-Saharan Africa, including Namibia, increased to US$3.6 billion in 2017 compared to US$3.3 billion in 2016 and N$2.2 billion in 2015.
During a media briefing last week, Russian embassy press attaché Yury Tsvetkov said it was encouraging that more and more Russian companies are choosing to enter the huge African market, while engaging in the geology, mining, energy, infrastructure and petrochemical sectors.
He added there are also good prospects for partnerships in the transport, industry, agriculture and telecommunications sectors.
“Russia contributes to the alleviation of the debt burden of African states. To date, the main debt of African states has been written off - more than US$20 billion. Under the programme 'debt in exchange for development' intergovernmental agreements are being implemented with Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania.”
Tsvetkov added that Russia is contributing to international programmes to assist African countries, including under the auspices of World Health Organisation (WHO) World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO).
“Russia pays attention to the training of African civilian specialists; currently about 15 000 are studying at Russian universities, and about 450 are from Namibia. In addition, on the basis of Russian specialised institutions, African law-enforcement officers are given the opportunity to improve their skills in higher education programmes, as well as short-term training courses,” he said.
Brics
According to Tsvetkov, the economic sphere remains the most advanced direction for the strategic partnership between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, known as Brics.
“Russia is providing all-round support to our South African friends in the spirit of the strategic partnership of Brics, in order to maintain continuity, stability and the high rates of multi-faced cooperation between members.”
Tsvetkov added Russia is in favour of expanding the cooperation of Brics states in the field of international information security, and particularly wants to bring partners together around the idea of establishing a common legal framework for countering ICT crimes and those perpetrated by terrorists.
“We plan to submit on behalf of Brics during the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in 2018 a draft resolution on rules, norms and principles of responsible behaviour of states in the information space. These rules should consolidate the principles of respect for state sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, fundamental human rights and freedoms, as well as equal rights for all states to participate in the management of the internet.”
JEMIMA BEUKES
During a media briefing last week, Russian embassy press attaché Yury Tsvetkov said it was encouraging that more and more Russian companies are choosing to enter the huge African market, while engaging in the geology, mining, energy, infrastructure and petrochemical sectors.
He added there are also good prospects for partnerships in the transport, industry, agriculture and telecommunications sectors.
“Russia contributes to the alleviation of the debt burden of African states. To date, the main debt of African states has been written off - more than US$20 billion. Under the programme 'debt in exchange for development' intergovernmental agreements are being implemented with Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania.”
Tsvetkov added that Russia is contributing to international programmes to assist African countries, including under the auspices of World Health Organisation (WHO) World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO).
“Russia pays attention to the training of African civilian specialists; currently about 15 000 are studying at Russian universities, and about 450 are from Namibia. In addition, on the basis of Russian specialised institutions, African law-enforcement officers are given the opportunity to improve their skills in higher education programmes, as well as short-term training courses,” he said.
Brics
According to Tsvetkov, the economic sphere remains the most advanced direction for the strategic partnership between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, known as Brics.
“Russia is providing all-round support to our South African friends in the spirit of the strategic partnership of Brics, in order to maintain continuity, stability and the high rates of multi-faced cooperation between members.”
Tsvetkov added Russia is in favour of expanding the cooperation of Brics states in the field of international information security, and particularly wants to bring partners together around the idea of establishing a common legal framework for countering ICT crimes and those perpetrated by terrorists.
“We plan to submit on behalf of Brics during the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in 2018 a draft resolution on rules, norms and principles of responsible behaviour of states in the information space. These rules should consolidate the principles of respect for state sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, fundamental human rights and freedoms, as well as equal rights for all states to participate in the management of the internet.”
JEMIMA BEUKES
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