Leonid Bolshov, Director of Institute of problems of safe development of nuclear power sector:

 — RSA has much to develop from the point of view of nuclear power industry

According to the Kremlin press service information, Russia and the Republic of South Africa signed several trade and economic agreements in the Kremlin on August 5 in accordance with the results of negotiations between the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma. In particular, Russian Tekhsnabexport OJSC and South African ESCOM Holdings Ltd concluded a contract for supply of enriched uranium products. The term of the contract is 10 years. The supplies will be commenced in 2001. This Agreement will have made it possible for Russia to occupy 45% of the South African low-enriched uranium market by 2018.

Leonid Bolshov, Director of Institute of problems of safe development of nuclear power sector:

Considering the fact that RSA has the largest economy on the continent and operates the only NPP in Africa it’s a very advantageous deal.

This country has not as wide experience in the field of nuclear power industry as we and leading nuclear states do, and has much to develop. And we’ve come to the RSA market just in time. You know, they have their own uranium resources. That’s why the cooperation is of interest for us. I think that in the course of time Russia is sure to occupy 45% of the South African market of low-enriched uranium.

Besides, there is a tendency in RSA for development of nuclear power industry and construction of new NPPs. And it serves as a confirmation that we concluded this agreement just in time and now we need to develop our relations.