Africa-Press – Senegal. Russia now wants to maintain direct trade relations with Africa, its ambassador to Senegal, Dmitry Kurakov, said on Tuesday in Dakar, saying that part of Russian exports to African countries were in the hands of « European intermediaries ».
« We want to work directly with Africans […] Previously, there were often European intermediaries who bought our products and resold them in Africa. Now, in this field, we want to work directly with Africa, » he said during a visit to the director general and the editorial staff of APS.
Mr. Kurakov wants his country’s direct trade with Africa to take place « not only in the field of agriculture but also in the sectors of energy, technology, culture, etc. »
The next Russia-Africa summit will take place next July, he announced.
« We have an interest in developing our relations with Africa. That’s the idea of the summit. We are going to take stock of what was decided at the last summit, three years ago, and develop a cooperation plan for the years to come, » added Dmitry Kurakov.
« We must more than ever have direct contacts between Russia and Africa in several areas, including agri-food, » he insisted, recalling that his country is one of the largest cereal exporters. and fertilizer in the world.
The Russian ambassador to Senegal says he hopes that the summit to bring together his country and Africa « will be successful », and that « African countries will take part en masse ». « There will not be just one summit. There will also be an economic forum. »
« African businessmen will be able to see what Russia is going to offer. Why not come up with something African? I am sure that there are many African entrepreneurs, including Senegalese, who can invest in Russia, take advantage of our wealth and bring Russian products to Senegal, » assured Mr. Kurakov.
“We can have a mutually beneficial cooperation,” he continued.
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