Russia looks forward to cooperation on LNG, pipeline projects with Tanzania - economic development minister

DAR ES SALAAM. Oct 29 (Interfax) - Russia looks forward to energy cooperation with Tanzania and stands ready to increase supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and natural gas, as well as implement pipeline projects, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said at a meeting of a Russian-Tanzanian intergovernmental commission in Tanzania on Tuesday.

"We stand ready to increase exports of agricultural machinery, construction materials, pharmaceutical products, natural gas, LNG," he said.

"We view interaction in the energy field as promising. We know about Tanzania's interest in exports of gas, LNG. Apart from that, our companies are willing to work on extracting fossil fuels and implementing major pipeline projects. One of our oil and gas institutes that specializes in standardizing and assessing compliance of oil and gas equipment is interested in cooperation with the Tanzanian state oil and gas company," he said.

"Considering the pace at which electricity consumption is growing in Tanzania and the necessity of commissioning new power generating facilities, we're prepared to build wind and solar power plants of any capacity and complexity," he said.

"Bearing in mind that Tanzania is located on the Indian Ocean's coast and is a member of regional integration associations, your country can serve as the sole window through which Russian products could enter the Eastern African market. Russia could play an analogous role for your exporters on the Eurasian Economic Union's markets," Reshetnikov said.

The agricultural sector is yet another priority, he said.

"To maintain the agricultural sector's brisk development, Tanzania needs new technology, fertilizers, and the production of animal feedstuffs. Our companies are willing to supply them, cooperate in organizing the efficient use of fertilizers for plants, and share best agronomic practices. And also invest in joint projects to grow produce to be supplied to Russia and third countries," Reshetnikov said.

"We expect to be able to intensify cooperation between veterinary and phytosanitary oversight agencies. Russian businesses are willing to supply animal products. We've offered a list of such companies to the Tanzanian side and asked them to issue permits for such supplies as soon as possible," he said.