30 Russian companies to participate in Africa 2018's food exhibition

CAIRO – 10 December 2018: Over 30 Russian companies in the fields of food, construction, agro-industrial, information technology and medicine are participating in the food products exhibition held on the sidelines of the Africa 2018 Forum, the Russian Embassy in Cairo stated on Dec. 9.

The business delegation of the Russian companies headed by Vasily Osmakov, deputy minister of industry and trade, and other Russian officials will start its two-day visit to Cairo on Tuesday to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, economy, as well as promotion and marketing of products to export-oriented suppliers to Egypt and African countries.

Russian Industry and Commerce organizes the visit, according to the statement.

A session will be held to discuss details of the Russian industrial zone that is set to be situated near the Suez Canal, with expected total investment of $7 billion, the statement read.

The Russian industrial zone (RIZ) will be established on an area of 5.25 million square meters and will be built over three phases, according to a statement issued earlier by the Suez Canal Economic Zone,

Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Georgy Kalamanov said in July, 2017, that the RIZ will act as a platform for Russian products to enter the Egyptian and African markets.

“I see it as a hub. I believe it is a first stage in shaping basic platforms for spreading Russian goods in African countries," Kalamanov announced.

The session will also tackle establishing an integrated production complex inside the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which will provide new possibilities to some Russian exporters and suppliers who are willing to deal with the African and Middle East markets.

The session will be attended by a number of Egyptian officials including Ahmed al-Wakil, chairman of the Egyptian Federation of Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC), according to the statement.

The Russian delegation will visit some industrial facilities and Egyptian factories, according to the statement, and will also hold a number of meetings with business parties for Russian exporters and potential African partners.