Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan began a three-day visit to Russia on Wednesday, meeting counterpart Vladimir Putin at a time when her country's reputation in the West has been badly damaged.

The forum is intended to help expand trade between Tanzania and Russia, which currently stands at $307.5 million annually.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan intends to participate in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where she will address the plenary session