RIO DE JANERIO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian government said Tuesday that it would provide a credit of 1 million reais (about 625,000 U.S. dollars) to fund projects to promote sci-tech cooperation with Africa.

    The National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) will take charge of the program, said the country's science and technology ministry.

    Corporations and institutions interested in such cooperation with African countries will have till Aug. 25 to present their proposals to the CNPq.

    "The aim is to support the activities of scientific, technological and innovative researches" for cooperation with Africa under the ProAfrica program, the ministry said.

    Brazilian government will offer credits between 30,000 reais and 80,000 reais (about 18,700 dollars and 50,000 dollars) for each project.

    Groups interested in making explorative visits to African countries to develop projects could also apply for the funding.

    The ProAfrica program was created in 2004 by the Science and Technology Ministry to strength cooperation with African countries, particularly those speaking the Portuguese language.