HAVANA, October 21 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has offered Cuba assistance in renovating its transportation system, rebuilding its energy sector and acquiring a fleet of oil tankers, Russia's deputy minister of industry and trade said on Tuesday.

"There are gaps in bilateral relations which need to be bridged, such as aircraft for internal flights," Stanislav Naumov said following the Days of Russia, which were held in Cuba on Saturday through Monday.

He said that besides Russian participation in Cuban oil and gas projects, equipment manufacturers could also be involved.

Naumov said Russia could help Cuba develop a fleet of oil tankers.

"Russia has created a United Ship-Building Corporation to meet its demand for tankers, and we can propose similar projects to the Cuban side," he said.

The official said Russia's participation in modernizing Cuba's energy system also showed good potential for suppliers of energy equipment, which could positively affect the development of Russia's machine-building sector.

"I believe our experts could also be useful to the Cuban side. We actively retrain staff for Russian industry and we could start training staff for Cuba's," Naumov said.

He said further development could include investment in joint ventures in Cuba.

The official said Russia also proposed renovating Cuba's car and bus fleet, which has a large number of Soviet-made vehicles imported during Cuba's years of cooperation with the Soviet Union.

He added that such cooperation programs should last at least 12 years.