MOSCOW, December 06. /ITAR-TASS/. Argentina urges Russia to take part in joint projects to build 15 infrastructure facilities at the amount of 19 billion dollars, Argentine Minister of Planning Julio De Vido said on Friday.
“The tender will be launched on December 20 and the construction is planning to be begun within the five years,” De Vido said.
“Russian-Argentine relations face a unique stage. This will give us an opportunity to implement joint projects,” the Argentine minister said, adding “We want Russian entrepreneurs to realize Argentine’s potential, including in the energy sector and the ore-mining industry.”
“The Argentine government is ready to give guarantee to the companies, which will agree to take part in implementing the projects,” he said.
Argentine seeks to develop the hydropower industry in order to reduce expenses on producing thermal energy that reach 402 million dollars every year. Meanwhile, operating expenses amount to 17 million dollars every year. Thus, “our future plans include the implementation of the key hydraulic power project ‘Chiuido-1’ and the construction of 10 hydroelectric power plants”, the minister said.
“In the last 10 years Argentina’s economy has strengthened considerably. We hope that it will grow in the nearest 10 years. Argentina ranks fourth in the world for slate oil. It is one of the leading countries to produce gold and silver,” De Vido said.
“Considerable achievements have been reached in agriculture. Our country ranks fourth for producing meat and fifth for producing grain,” he said.