ADDIS ABABA, February 18. /TASS/. Russian companies are ready to explore opportunities for setting up production lines in Ethiopia, including for making cars, Yevgeny Teryokhin, the Russian ambassador to Addis Ababa, told TASS.

"Russian companies are ready to consider opportunities for partial localization of their production in Ethiopia, for example, in the automotive industry," he said.

The diplomat said Russia supplies Ethiopia with petroleum products, machinery, automotive parts, rolled metal products, timber products and other goods. Ethiopia exports coffee, ready-made clothes, leather goods, flowers and beans to Russia.

"I would like to note the significant potential for increasing bilateral trade, including through the supply of Russian mineral fertilizers, agricultural machinery, energy, electrical and mining equipment, as well as equipment for the chemical industry and processing of agricultural products," Teryokhin said.

He said Russia resumed the work of its trade mission in Addis Ababa last June to support joint projects of Russian and Ethiopian businesses.