A boost to cooperation. The Development Bank introduced a Nicaraguan delegation to Belarus's industrial potential.

Photo by the Development Bank, June 27, MINSK . A delegation from the Republic of Nicaragua, led by Laureano Facundo Ortega Murillo, Advisor to the President for Investment, Trade, and International Cooperation, and supported by the Development Bank, learned about Belarus's manufacturing potential. This was reported by BelTA, citing the Development Bank's press service. The EAEU

summit in Minsk brought together more than 2,700 people from 33 countries. In addition to member states and their immediate neighbors, representatives from further afield also attended the large-scale forum. Specifically, the delegation from the Republic of Nicaragua, led by Laureano Ortega, arrived in the Belarusian capital not only to participate in the summit events but also to explore our country's manufacturing potential to increase supplies of Belarusian products to Nicaragua. Previously, Laureano Ortega participated in meetings and business negotiations with heads of state. Today, a comprehensive presentation of Belarusian companies whose products are of interest to the Latin American country was organized for the representative delegation with the participation of the Development Bank. The first stop on the program was a visit to Pozhsnab LLC. Guests were shown various models of emergency rescue vehicles. "Our specialists are literally developing new models from scratch, with all electronic components and software being domestically produced, not to mention major components manufactured at Belarusian industrial plants. The journey from design to actual prototype takes less than a year. Moreover, the models are tested on-site under various extreme and realistic conditions," said Oleg Deryabin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pozhsnab LLC. The Nicaraguan partners were also shown a new production facility, established with the support of the Development Bank – a workshop for the production of reinforced fiberglass components used in fire trucks. "The innovative technologies used here enable the production of fire-fighting equipment with a high level of automation and safety, stability, and durability, thereby ensuring a continuous and effective rescue process for people caught in emergency situations," noted the DIRECTOR of Pozhsnab. Earlier, in May of this year, when a Belarusian delegation visited the Latin American country on a working visit, Nicaraguan partners expressed interest in supplying over 40 fire trucks using EXPORT financing from the Development Bank. Today, Nicaraguan representatives witnessed their high-quality assembly, which became the focus of discussions regarding the specific delivery of this equipment.








Sergey Stolyarchuk, Chairman of the Management Board of the Development Bank, emphasized that the financial institution is ready to provide all available export instruments and financing models to transform agreements into mutually beneficial contracts. "Over the past two years of intensive cooperation, we have become not only good partners, but truly close comrades. You are well aware of our country's comprehensive approach to exports: offering competitive financial support for deliveries along with the products. Both Belarus and Nicaragua are already experiencing the effectiveness of this model of interstate cooperation through previously concluded contracts. I am confident that the results of today's work will translate into mutually beneficial contracts, for which the Development Bank will provide all necessary support," said the Chairman of the Management Board of the Development Bank.

Laureano Ortega, in turn, noted that having such fire trucks would be very beneficial and effective for his country. "Our fire safety and emergency departments will quickly get to work organizing the delivery of the first batch of vehicles. I am confident that with the financial support of this project from the Development Bank, all agreements will be implemented. We are on a good track," said Laureano Ortega.

After studying the production processes, the Nicaraguan delegation traveled to a branch of the Institute for Retraining and Advanced Training of the University of Civil Defense of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Belarus to see Belarusian fire trucks in action.

At the testing ground, which is designed for fire safety testing and research, as well as for practicing practical skills in emergency response, a fuel tank fire was simulated. Two firefighting crews were dispatched to contain the fire and, using fire trucks manufactured by Pozhsnab, quickly completed the task. 
The HEAD of the training center told the foreign guests that the institute has been collaborating with Pozhsnab for over 10 years and provides training to firefighters from countries that purchase Belarusian vehicles. Training can take place both in Belarus and in the countries to which the vehicles are supplied. Belarusian firefighters noted that they had trained specialists from over 80 countries and offered their Nicaraguan colleagues training on operating modern vehicles.

The next stop on the program was a tour of the Gorki Food Plant, which processes natural MILK and produces dairy products. Foreign partners were presented with various types of fermented milk drinks, cottage cheese, and cheese under the brands "Molochnye Gorki," Exponenta, and "Belsyr."
The quality and taste of Belarusian products were highly praised by Nicaraguan partners, who expressed interest not only in supplying them but also in establishing joint production in Nicaragua. The Development Bank is ready to provide financial support for these projects, as it does for other mutually beneficial Belarusian-Nicaraguan projects.
The Development Bank emphasized that this day for Latin American partners was held under the slogan of the three "Cs": quality, comprehensiveness, and customer focus. These components of the Belarusian approach to working with foreign partners form the basis for mutually beneficial cooperation. Nicaragua is no exception. With the participation of the Development Bank, cooperation with this country is strengthening every year, and the current visit of the Nicaraguan delegation will further boost trade between the two countries.
Photo: Development Bank