MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. Russian companies are interested in entering the Zimbabwean market and have successfully implemented their existing projects in this country despite the pandemic, the article by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries published by Zimbabwean newspaper The Herald said.

The Russian top diplomat emphasized a special role of the Russia-Zimbabwe Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Trade and Science and Technical Cooperation in the development of bilateral practical cooperation. "The regular meeting of its co-chairs last October (via videoconference) reaffirmed the commitment of Russian economic actors to joint work in such fields as mining, energy, agriculture, information and communication technologies. In spite of the objective circumstances caused by the global spread of the new coronavirus infection, Russia's large companies, V Holding and Alrosa, have progressed with their flagship projects. We are confident that their successful launch will help increase cooperation in related sectors," he noted.

The minister pointed out that a number of major Russian companies, such as Rosatom State Corporation, Kamaz Group of Companies, Rosgeologia, Uralchem Holding and Rostselmash Combine Plant display interest in entering the Zimbabwean market. "Cybersecurity is another area with good prospects for interaction," he added.

The top diplomat reiterated that Moscow welcomed the Zimbabwean leader's active participation in the Russia - Africa Summit in Sochi in October 2019. "We strongly believe that the first ever top-level meeting between Russia and Africa set the direction for further development of interaction among government bodies and business circles on various treks, as well as opened new avenues for major Russian economic projects aimed at ensuring, among other things, sustainable social and economic growth on the African continent," he concluded.