Russia ready to increase supplies of petroleum products, fertilizers to Myanmar - minister

MOSCOW. Aug 18 (Interfax) - Russia and Myanmar intend to diversify mutual trade; in particular, the Russian side has opportunities to increase supplies of petroleum products, mineral fertilizers, and agricultural products, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov told journalists following Russian-Myanmar talks in Moscow.

"This year we began supplying large amounts of mineral fertilizers there, prior to that there were supplies of petroleum products. In general, of course, the leaders of our countries have set the task of diversifying our trade turnover in order to give sustainability and dynamism to our trade. What are we talking about here? That we are further ready to increase supplies of both mineral fertilizers and petroleum products, and machinery products to Myanmar, and of course, agricultural products," Reshetnikov said.

"In turn, from there they are ready to increase supplies of light industry products, primarily clothing, of course, textiles, and in addition, also agricultural products - coffee and other areas, and fruit as well, and so on," he said.

Reshetnikov recalled that a year ago Russia and Myanmar signed an agreement on protecting and encouraging investment, and now Russian-Myanmar cooperation is gradually moving into the investment stage, he said.

"We have a number of projects where Russian investors are actively investing in the production of organic fertilizers and generally in increasing agricultural productivity. There is great potential in Myanmar for supplies to external markets, to the Russian market, but not only that. Of course, Myanmar also needs energy resources and the development of electricity generation. And here we are also discussing various kinds of projects. They are related to alternative energy, including solar energy. And our traditional energy, of course - gas supplies, all this is being discussed. We have several projects related to the creation of this kind of serious infrastructure on Myanmar's territory," he said.