Medvedev seeks arms deals with Brazil
February 20, 2013, 10:15 pm

Medvedev and Rousseff discussed arms sales and technical assistance [AP]

Medvedev’s trip follows a visit by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to Moscow in December, in which intra-BRICS trade was emphasised.

Last week, Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister visited several African countries, including BRICS member South Africa where he pledged to bolster trade ties.

In Brasilia on Wednesday, Medvedev offered Rousseff advanced anti-aircraft missile systems which Brazil’s defence ministry had expressed interest in earlier this month.

“We are interested in acquiring three batteries of medium level Pantsir-S1 missiles and two batteries of Igla missiles,” General Jose Carlos De Nardi said in a statement on February 2 alluding to plans for Brazil to strengthen its air defence systems ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

A source in Medvedev’s delegation told RIA Novosti on Monday that Russia and Brazil are expected to sign several intergovernmental agreements and up to five contracts in such areas as metallurgy, medicine and hi-tech industry.

Russia hopes to participate in a tender for the construction of four nuclear power plants in Brazil until 2030 and expand military-technical cooperation with the Latin American country, the source said.

Medvedev was also expected to chair a bilateral business commission in efforts to bolster trade exchange from the current $6.5 billion to $10 billion.

“It is very important that we pencil in new projects, check clocks over various directions of our trade and economic partnership,” Medvedev said.

“I believe the goal we seek – increasing our trade turnover up to $10 billion annually – is very real, and meets the potential of our economies, and I hope – will be achieved in the next years,” he added.

The Russian prime minister also said that amidst the global financial crisis, “the technological alliance we are trying to create will serve the needs of our nations.”

Medvedev is to depart for Havana, Cuba on Thursday.

Reporting by Daria Chernyshova in Moscow, with inputs from Agencies.