Cote D'Ivoire Eager To Boost Economic Cooperation With Russia - Economy Minister

Cote d'Ivoire wants to expand its trade and economic cooperation with Russia and hopes that Moscow will play a significant role in the development of the country's economy, the Ivorian economy and finance minister, Adama Kone, told Sputnik.

SHARM EL-SHEIKH (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th December, 2018) - Cote d'Ivoire wants to expand its trade and economic cooperation with Russia and hopes that Moscow will play a significant role in the development of the country's economy, the Ivorian economy and finance minister, Adama Kone, told Sputnik.

"Cote d'Ivoire hopes that Russia will enter its market and become one of its partners. As of now, trade and economic cooperation between our countries remains limited, and there is nothing normal about it," Kone said following the Africa 2018 Forum, held in Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh on December 8-9.

According to the minister, the two countries enjoy good relations, something which Cote d'Ivoire will try to maintain.

"Cote d'Ivoire has become more attractive [economically], it offers a lot of new opportunities, and we invite Russia to come and have a discussion with us [on the prospects for our trade and economic cooperation], and play a role in our development," Kone said.

In 2017, trade between Russia and Cote d'Ivoire amounted to $235 million. The Russian side mostly exports chemical products, food, agricultural and wood industry goods.