Photo courtesy of the Development Bank
MINSK, 15 March (BelTA) - Chairman of the Board of the Development Bank Sergei Stolyarchuk met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to Belarus Santiago Perez Benitez on 14 March, BelTA learned from the press service of the Development Bank.
The meeting was aimed at increasing foreign trade interaction, the press service said.
Sergei Stolyarchuk emphasized the importance of a frank conversation on both existing and future projects during a joint Intergovernmental Commission meeting.
“Now we first of all need to discuss tactical and strategic steps of interaction and concretize possible export projects for subsequent signing of agreements. Therefore, I suggest discussing Cuba's needs for Belarusian goods and consolidate them into a promising pool of areas of work, taking into account the experience of our interaction,” said Sergei Stolyarchuk.
The potential of Belarus for Cuba is enormous, the Development Bank stressed. It is important that the countries quickly find practical points of its application. “The implemented projects have demonstrated that the expansion of cooperation in crediting Belarusian goods supplies to Cuba allows not only to actively increase trade between the two countries, but also meets the urgent needs of Cubans and the economy of the country in general, as well as contributes to its further development,” the press service said.
The ambassador of Cuba thanked the authorities of Belarus, the Development Bank and organizations of the economic sector for the readiness to increase cooperation and effective implementation of existing projects. “We appreciate the results of our joint work. In particular, after the first delivery of tractor kits with the support of the Development Bank, our president personally visited the assembly plant and noted the importance of deepening cooperation with Belarus in the agricultural sector. We are interested in continuing this project and expanding it by organizing deliveries of engines and spare parts for tractors,” Santiago Perez Benitez emphasized.
The ambassador noted that it was also important to increase supplies of milk powder, which is intended for children's nutrition, as well as Belarusian medicines.
“We count on Belarus to provide the Cuban market with pharmaceutical products and medical devices. We have great needs in this area, because we produce about 60% of the necessary medicines, while 40% are imported,” the diplomat said.
The chairman of the Board of the Development Bank emphasized that the experience of cooperation with the Latin American country is positive. Under the previously signed agreements, both Belarus and Cuba fulfill their obligations in a timely manner. This makes it possible for the parties to talk about increasing the number of joint large-scale projects, where the Development Bank, as before, is ready to provide the necessary financial support.
“We understand each other very well, and our aspirations and goals are more similar than we think. Thank you for the development opportunities you are providing for Cuba,” Santiago Perez Benitez added.
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