- Title: Developing economic ties a priority - Putin to Kenyatta
- Date: 24th October 2019
- Summary: SOCHI, RUSSIA (OCTOBER 24, 2019) (RUSSIAN POOL) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN AND KENYAN PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA SHAKING HANDS VARIOUS OF DELEGATIONS TAKING SEATS FOR TALKS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "Of course, a priority for us (OVER SIDE SHOT) is the development of trade and economic ties and securing a steady growth of commodities turnover. In 2018 the numbers increased (CONTINUES IN SHOT) slightly, but still it is small growth of 1.2 percent. We are happy that some (OVER SIDE SHOT) Russian companies become part of Kenya's market. (CONTINUES IN SHOT) I hope we will manage to discuss it in detail today. Thank you." MEETING IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) KENYAN PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA, SAYING: "Mr. President I also believe that this forum you have organised offers again Russian and Africa the opportunity to focus on ways and means of expanding our political, economic, technical, cultural and educational interests, in a manner that serves both our countries and promotes Russia's partnership with the African Union." MEETING IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 7th November 2019 16:17
- Keywords: Kenyatta Putin Keny Russia Russia Africa Russian president Kenyan president
- Location: SOCHI, RUSSIA
- City: SOCHI, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001B2GJ87B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta discussed economic cooperation between the two countries as they met on the sidelines of Russia-African forum in Sochi on Thursday (October 24).
Putin said the trade growth last year amounted to only 1.2 percent.
Russia dispatched two nuclear-capable bombers to South Africa on a training mission on Wednesday, a flight that appeared timed to coincide with President Vladimir Putin's opening of a flagship Russia-Africa summit designed to boost Russian influence.
The two Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers were due to land near Johannesburg later on Wednesday, Russia's Interfax news agency cited South Africa's military as saying. Russia's Ministry of Defence has said the mission is designed to nurture military ties with South Africa.
Speaking before dozens of African heads of state at a two-day summit in the southern Russian city of Sochi, Putin called for trade with African countries to double over the next 4-5 years and said Moscow had written off African debts to the tune of over $20 billion.
The first Russia-Africa summit is part of a Kremlin drive to win business and restore influence that faded after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, which backed leftwing governments and movements across the continent throughout the Cold War.
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