Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of the Congo Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua has invited more Russian companies to invest in the African country's energy sector and launch projects in oil, gas, mineral and electricity fields.
"[With] Russia, we have very long-term cooperation… now we want to really increase, to strengthen, reinforce the economic cooperation. And the first area we want to do it is the energy sector," Itoua told Sputnik on the sidelines of the Russian Energy Week international forum.
Previously, Russia and the Republic of the Congo had mainly political, diplomatic and educational cooperation, the minister added.
Itoua also pointed out that several Russian energy companies, including oil company Lukoil and state nuclear corporation Rosatom, have already started implementing projects in the African country.
"So that's the companies we know. But maybe there are more companies ... My goal is to see Russian companies to come in Congo to see what they have many opportunities for energy, for electricity, for oil, for gas, for mineral [projects]," Itoua added.
Speaking of collaboration with Rosatom, the parties are working to finalize previously signed agreements on renewable energy and nuclear energy, Itoua said, adding that the discussion is going well.
"Now I think we're working to finalize the last agreement. We have two main subjects. The first one is renewable energy based on the technology of floating systems. The second one is nuclear energy ... And I think it's going very well in terms of discussion between Congo and Rosatom," Itoua said on the sidelines of the Russian Energy Week international forum.
In July, Rosatom and the Republic of the Congo signed memoranda of cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy and hydropower sectors.