BRAZZAVILLE, Oct 16, 2007 (AFP) - Congo and Brazil signed health and agricultural agreements Tuesday, during a one-day visit by Brazil's President Luiz Ignacio Lula Da Silva who is on a landmark Africa tour.
Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso said he would embrace Lula's call for a "biofuels revolution" in Africa, launched Monday in Burkina Faso.
Nguesso called the biofuels advance "a development opportunity" for Africa with its vast resources.
Congo produces 11 to 12 million tonnes of oil yearly, but for lack of sufficient refining capacity must buy hydro-electric energy from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The two countries also struck deals on projects to fight and prevent malaria and HIV/AIDS in Congo. Two other agreements deal with human resources training and the transfer of agricultural production techniques.
Lula also said his country would help Congo ease its foreign debt -- including possibly transferring or erasing some 400-million dollars (282-million euros) owed to Brazil. He said he supported Congo in its negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
The Brazilian president left mid-afternoon for South Africa, where he will attend a summit with the leaders of India and South Africa later this week.
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