Photo courtesy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus
MINSK, 4 December (BelTA) – Belarus and Cuba are interested in expanding industrial cooperation. This topic was discussed at an inter-parliamentary seminar held via video conference at the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus to discuss industrial cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Cuba, BelTA has learned.
Member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Sergei Klishevich noted that the parliamentary platform for cooperation in various areas has proven effective. The first such event has already been held and it was dedicated to cooperation in medicine, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. Seminars on food security and industrial cooperation are planned. “This format allows discussing problematic issues with the relevant parties, including financiers and the banking sector, to establish economic contacts with the fraternal people of Cuba,” he said.
The MP is confident that online meetings help solve many problems face-to-face, although some are left for future seminars. “Despite the geographical distance, Cuba remains a fraternal state, and the economy serves as the foundation for strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Platforms involving heads of enterprises, ministries, and departments effectively solve problems that arise in organizing close economic contacts,” he added. “Belarus and Cuba maintain warm and fraternal relations, rooted in the times of the Soviet Union, and supported by President Aleksandr Lukashenko and the leaders of Cuba. The countries are advancing cooperation in areas including food security, mutual support on international platforms, and inter-parliamentary diplomacy.”
Belarus has set up a high-level group with Cuba to swiftly address any issues that arise. Sergei Klishevich stressed that the goal is to foster closer social, economic, political and diplomatic ties between the two nations, despite the geographical distance.
According to Belarusian Deputy Industry Minister Leonid Ryzhkovsky, Belarusian products, including machinery and industrial goods, have a solid reputation on the Cuban market, and there is interest in its supply there. “We offer agricultural machinery, household appliances, and other products. The Cuban side is interested, as the quality of the products has been confirmed, and a tractor assembly production has already been established in Cuba,” he said. “Belarus is eager to consider any cooperation projects together with Cuba, starting with expanding tractor production without restrictions on partners and model ranges. Work is underway on household and medical appliance projects, which could lead to joint ventures if economically viable. Once supply volumes are confirmed, the next step will be to move to assembly production, with options to be discussed with partners.”
The prospects are similar for other Latin American countries: agricultural machinery, tractors, trailed equipment, passenger and utility vehicles. A wide range of products is in demand everywhere for field cultivation and infrastructure development.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to Belarus Santiago Perez Benitez added that Belarusian machinery has proven itself well on the Cuban market and has been in demand for many decades, since the times of the Soviet Union. “Cuban and Belarusian specialists have jointly maintained and developed the industry. Now the machinery is being modernized, but there is great potential both for acquiring new equipment and for restoring existing machinery, including in the industrial and dairy sectors,” he noted.
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