La Paz, October 3 (Xinhua-RHC) -- Bolivian President Evo Morales announced Thursday that his government will invest about 2 billion U.S. dollars over the next decade to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The investment is part of a strategy to convert the South American nation into a regional energy producing center, the Bolivian Information Agency said.

In mid-July, after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Brazil, Morales announced that the Russian leader offered Bolivia "an integral nuclear energy plan."

In October 2010, Bolivia and Iran expressed their interest in nuclear cooperation. Bolivia has also consulted France and Argentina on the subject.