Tanzania could become single point of Russian products' entry into African market - minister

DAR ES SALAAM. Oct 29 (Interfax) - Tanzania's advantageous position on the coast of the Indian Ocean allows it to become a single point for Russian products' entry into the African market and develop the North-South transport corridor, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said at the Russia-Tanzania business forum on Tuesday.

The forum is part of an official visit of a Russian delegation to Tanzania for the first meeting of the bilateral intergovernmental commission.

"We have identified strategic priorities. First of all, logistics. The advantageous geographic position of Tanzania on the coast of the Indian Ocean and connection to other African countries unlocks great opportunities for Russia. The republic could become the single point of entry for our products into the African continent and develop the North-South transport corridor. In turn, our country could provide Tanzania with a window to the market of the Eurasian Economic Union," Reshetnikov said.

Energy cooperation has a great potential, he said. "This includes peaceful use of atomic energy, construction of renewable energy facilities, and extraction of mineral resources," Reshetnikov said.

"Agriculture, pharmaceutics, digitalization of the economy, urban environment and, obviously, tourism are the focus. We are ready to discuss all of that and solve problems with settlements and contacts between banks in our countries together," he said.

Russia is also interested in joint social projects, including those in education, science and healthcare, Reshetnikov said.