Crimea ready to cement ties with Africa

From BENNIE MUNDANDO in Crimea

WE are ready to cement our trade relations and partner with Africa because of the vast investment opportunities which both parties can exploit in the two regions, head of the Republic of Crimea, Vladimir Konstantinov, has said.

In 1921 the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was created. This Republic was dissolved in 1945, and Crimea became an oblast first of the Russian from 1945 to 1954 and then of Ukrainian from1954 to 1991.

From 1991 the territory was covered by the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol City within independent Ukraine. However, during the 2014 Crimean crisis, the peninsula was taken over by Russia and a referendum on whether to rejoin Russia was held and people massively voted to go back to Russia.

However, Crimea was slapped with sanctions by the European Community for kits decision. But speaking to the media yesterday, Mr. Konstantinov said Crimea was ready to spread its business tentacles across Africa and that the continent’s enterprises were free to explore investment opportunities in that country.

“We have a est in Africa. the Russian Vladimir Puttin lot on interPresident of Federation is building close relations with Africa as witnessed by the Russia- Africa Economic Forum and Summit and we want to fully benefit from such an initiative.

We often invite business missions from African countries through initiatives such as the Yalta International Economic Forum (YIEF). There you can find a lot of opportunities for cooperation in different economic fields. We are interested in trade between Africa and Crimea,” Mr. Konstantinov said.

He said despite sanctions that Crimea was facing from the European Union following the citizens’ decision to go back to Russia, it will continue exploring trade avenues with Africa to develop its economy.

“Crimea can always boast about its vegetables and fruits. We were a priority for vegetable and fruits under the Soviet Union and other fields of industry.

We would like to invite business representatives from your countries to explore an avalanche of business opportunities.

“The situation has changed greatly and the most important aspect is peace and security for the people of Crimea. We are investing a lot of money in the Crimean infrastructure.

This country is developing and changing. Our infrastructures and social life has greatly improved compared to the time that we were under Ukraine,” he said.