Karelia Strengthens Cooperation with the BRICS Country
The parties agreed to continue further interaction within the framework of the working contacts, as well as to hold a number of meetings online.
The acting Minister of Economic Development of Karelia Alexander Lomako held a working videoconference meeting with the Minister of Economic Development of Northern Cape Province Ms. Venus Blennies. The meeting was initiated by the South African side together with the Consulate General of Russia in Cape Town. The event was also attended by the Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Petrozavodsk Lev Tarskikh.
The meeting discussed issues and prospects for trade and economic cooperation between the two regions. South Africa, like Russia, is a member of the BRICS. In this regard, bilateral cooperation in foreign economic activity is carried out within the framework of the all-Russian trend of developing relations with the countries of this association.
South Africa is already a trading partner of Karelia. Paper and cardboard are supplied to this African country. In 2024, the supplies increased 14 times.
- Cooperation with the BRICS countries is a priority for Karelia. That is why we immediately responded to the initiative of our South African colleagues to establish contacts. South Africa occupies a small place in Karelia's trade turnover, about 1%. At the same time, there are prospects for growth in foreign trade turnover, as well as strengthening bilateral cooperation, including those in the forestry and mining industries, - noted Alexander Lomako.
The parties agreed to continue further interaction within the framework of working contacts, as well as to hold a number of meetings in the format of a video conference on the prospects for concluding a memorandum of understanding and a visit by the head of the South African region to the republic.
