African markets access opportunities for Russian business discussed at “Business Russia”

February 12, 2018

A workshop on promotion of Russian business on the emerging African markets was held by All-Russia Public Organization “Business Russia” on 8 February 2018. The roundtable discussion brought together managers of Russian companies, representatives of embassies of Tanzania, Rwanda and South Africa, as well as of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and the UNIDO Centre in the Russian Federation.

The meeting was dedicated to the opportunities for sharing Russian experience of technological development with African companies and the export potential for products in demand on the local markets. Existing tools of support and development of international cooperation with African partners, necessary steps and initiatives for a more efficient positioning of Russian high-technology companies in Africa were discussed.

The Director of the UNIDO Centre in the Russian Federation Mr. Sergey Korotkov delivered a presentation during the workshop, introducing the participants to the most promising investment opportunities in the African economies for Russian entrepreneurs. He presented the UNIDO experience of collaborating with African partners within the framework of technical cooperation projects aimed at supporting the development of the least developed countries.

Mr. Korotkov noted the success of UNIDO Programmes for Country Partnership (PCP) being implemented since 2015 in Senegal and Ethiopia. UNIDO acts as a facilitator of technology and investment resources transfer, supporting the inclusive and sustainable industrial development of the two countries.

Senegal is actively developing and attracting investment into the mining industry, new generation of integrated industrial parks and the agricultural sector. Among priority economic sectors of Ethiopia are the agro-processing, textile industry and leather products sector.

In conclusion, Sergey Korotkov invited representatives of Russian companies to take part in the Second International Agro-Industry Investment Forum which will take place from 5 to 8 March 2018 in Addis Ababa. The Forum will allow to identify investment opportunities in agro-industry in Ethiopia, to establish new strategic partnerships through B2B and B2G meetings. A field visit to industrial parks will be organized for members of the Forum, where they could personally take a closer look at processing and conditions of the developing Ethiopian industry.