Russian President, Vladimir Putin, says his country will supply 50,000 tons of grains to some African countries in the next three months in its bid
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has stated that in an effort to secure food security, his nation will provide 50,000 tons of wheat to select African nations over the next three months.
In St. Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday, Putin opened the Second Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum 2023.
Technology and Security for Sovereign Development that Benefits People is this year’s Forum’s key focus.
Heads of state from about 17 of the participating African nations at the summit are attending.
With its harvest records, Russia, according to Putin, is prepared to replace Ukrainian grain shipments to Africa on both a commercial and humanitarian basis. He also promised to make the items available to customers without charge.
“Russia accounts for 20% of the world wheat market. It has already shipped 10 million tons of grain to Africa in the first half of 2023. In the upcoming three to four months, Russia is prepared to send 25 to 50 thousand tons of grain apiece to Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Somalia, and Eritrea while guaranteeing free consumer delivery, he added.
According to Putin, the value of commerce between Russia and Africa reached 18 billion dollars in 2023, and trade in agricultural goods increased by 60%.
In addition, Putin disclosed the planning of almost 30 energy projects involving Russia in Africa, with a combined capacity of roughly 3.7 gigawatts spread across 16 African nations.
He said that Russian oil and gas exports to Africa have multiplied by 2.6 and that Russia could provide the continent special non-energy nuclear technology uses, such as medical.
“A Russian industrial zone will soon open in Egypt near the Suez Canal, and its goods will be sent all throughout Africa.
“Russia is prepared to build up Africa’s financial sector and link it to the Russian payment network.
He stated, “Russia will share the integration experience of the Union State of Russia and Belarus and promotes the establishment of relations between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Africa.”
A free trade agreement known as the EAEU was established in 2015 to improve economic cooperation and the level of living of its participants.
Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan are among the members.
However, he advocated for the formation of international commissions including all relevant nations.
Furthermore, he said that there were already 35,000 African students studying in Russia, and that figure was steadily rising.
“The quota has increased by 2.5 times and will exceed 4,700 persons in 2024,” the speaker continued.
As part of a collaborative initiative to fight diseases, he added, Russia will provide ten mobile laboratories and educate hundreds of professionals with 2.1 billion rubles set up for it.
Africa’s youngsters are invited to take part in Russian sporting events as part of Russia’s proposal to expand sports cooperation.He stated that efforts were being made to establish media offices for TASS, Russia Today, RG, and VGTRK in Africa. (Commodity Nigeria)
