Russians seek tech cooperation
20 March 2007
A Russian delegation has concluded a successful visit to South Africa, with the two countries resolving to increase cooperation in the fields of energy, mining, defence and nuclear and space technology.
Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka hosted the Russian delegation, led by Prime Minster Mikhail Fradkov, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Monday.
"We are also looking at cooperation that will ensure technological gains for South Africa from Russian companies," Mlambo-Ngcuka said, adding that existing trade levels between the two countries could also be improved.
Fradkov said the two countries were interested in promoting business-to-business cooperation. A South African business delegation will visit Russia in May.
"So it is the task of the ITEC [South Africa-Russian Federation Joint Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation] and the business community to increase the levels," said Fradkov, who later paid a courtesy visit to President Thabo Mbeki.
During the first ever visit by a Russian president to South Africa in September last year, President Vladimir Putin and Mbeki signed a Treaty of Friendship and Partnership.
In that same visit, Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena and his Russian counterpart signed an agreement on cooperation in space exploration, paving the way for South Africa to launch its second low Earth orbiting satellite SumbandilaSAT, due for launch off Russia later this year.
Other agreements signed during Putin's visit included one on cooperation in health care and medical sciences, as well as intellectual property rights related to defence-industrial cooperation.
Source: BuaNews
