Rosatom seeks to boost cooperation in Eurasia

The agreement was signed on 10 August by Alexander Merten, president of Rusatom International Network, and Vsevolod Smakov from the EDB.

The parties agreed to jointly promote the implementation of Rosatom projects in high-technology areas, including: renewable energy sources, thermal power, nuclear medicine, the use of radiation technologies in industry, agriculture, food processing centres, construction and servicing of nuclear power plants and other complex engineering facilities.

In addition, the parties agreed to jointly determine the instruments and various forms of project financing with the participation of Rosatom organisations, provide information and consultancy support on project financing issues, participate in project promotion events (including conferences, exhibitions, forums and seminars) and organise mutually beneficial information exchange.

"The signing of today's agreement between the industry complex of Rosatom State Corporation - Rusatom International Network - and the Eurasian Development Bank creates additional prerequisites for the successful implementation of projects in the field of traditional and renewable energy, nuclear medicine and other areas in EDB member countries where Rosatom enterprises are involved as suppliers of equipment and services, implementing certain projects, and are partners of local state and private companies," said Merten.

Smakov added, "The Bank is ready to support Rusatom in implementing high-tech projects in the field of energy and industry in Armenia, Belarus and Central Asia. We have high hopes for further cooperation."

Rusatom International Network is an industry complex under Rosatom whose goal is to form, develop and manage a network of cross-border regional centres. The company is comprised of 11 regional centres. The main tasks of the company and its regional centres are to seek new opportunities to expand business, promote Russian nuclear companies' products and services globally, as well as to shape the image of Rosatom and boost public acceptance of nuclear energy abroad. One of the main functions of the company is to coordinate international economic activities of agencies under the governance of Rosatom.

The EDB is an international financial institution founded by Russia and Kazakhstan in January 2006 with the mission to facilitate the development of market economies, sustainable economic growth, and the expansion of mutual trade and other economic ties in its member states. The EDB's charter capital totals USD7 billion. The member states of the Bank are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.