MOSCOW, November 11 (RIA Novosti) - Egypt expects to double its annual trade with Russia to $8 billion in the next few years, the Egyptian prime minister told his Russian counterpart on Tuesday.
"Currently, trade [between Egypt and Russia] stands at almost $4 billion. We expect this figure to double in coming years," Ahmed Nazif told Vladimir Putin.
Putin, speaking to reporters after the meeting in Moscow, said Russia plans to increase cooperation with Egypt in machine-building and high technology. He highlighted the success of bilateral cooperation in the aviation industry.
"The Tu-204 aircraft is our joint project. It has good prospects on global markets," Putin said.
The premiers signed a set of documents on nuclear energy cooperation.
"We have signed documents on developing our relations in using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Specialists from the Rosatom state nuclear corporation are ready to engage in consultations," Putin said.
The Egyptian premier also singled out tourism an important area for economic cooperation, and said the number of Russian tourists travelling to Egypt could reach 2 million this year.
Putin said Russia regards Egypt as a privileged strategic partner, and noted that trade between the countries has risen fivefold in the past five years.
