"We are seeking to diversify existing energy supplies, and have invited Russia to take part in tenders for the implementation of nuclear projects," said Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Monday.
In turn, Andrei Sharonov, Deputy Economic Development and Trade Minister and a member of the visiting Russian government's delegation led by Premier Mikhail Fradkov, said Monday the Russian Federal Nuclear Power Agency (Rosatom) was ready to take part in the construction of nuclear power plants (NPPs) of various capacities. In addition, he said, Rosatom was considering implementing joint research projects in the nuclear sphere and the prospect of establishing ore mining and processing mills in South Africa.
"South Africa has announced the need to diversify investment sources," Sharonov said. "The competition is fierce, but hopefully we will win the tenders [for NPP construction]," the Russian delegate said.
Simultaneously, Russia's nuclear equipment export monopoly Atomstroyexport said Monday it plans to build a nuclear power plant in Morocco.
Atomstroyexport officials, who arrive March 19 in Morocco on a working visit, will discuss prospects for developing the nuclear power industry in the North African country, the company's press office said.
On March 16, the Russian PM set off for a four-day African tour with a view to expanding economic cooperation with African countries. Late last Friday Fradkov met with Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos in Luanda, the capital of Angola.
Russia is ready to participate in the development of mineral deposits in Namibia, Russia's premier said Saturday.
Visiting Mikhail Fradkov said talks with Namibian leaders covered issues of cooperation in the prospecting of oil, natural gas, diamonds, gold and copper deposits in the southern African country.
A source in the Russian government said Russia had intensified assistance to African countries in the past few years. Among other things, it has already cleared $11.3 billion worth of debt and has made a decision to settle another worth $750 million and to grant $250 million for priority development programs, the fight against infectious diseases and anti-poverty measures.
Late February, Techsnabexport, Russia's state-run nuclear exporter, and Russia's leading asset management company, Renova, headed by tycoon Viktor Vekselberg, said they planned to set up joint ventures in South Africa, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
