OREANDA-NEWS. July 24, 2008. Belarus and Venezuela are discussing new supplies of Belarusian machines, co-chairman of the Belarusian-Venezuelan intergovernmental commission Viktor Sheiman said during talks between the Belarusian and Venezuelan delegations on July 23.

In his words, in January-May 2008 enterprises of the Belarusian Industry Ministry exported \\$11 million worth of commodities to Venezuela. In Q1 2008 MAZ, BelAZ and Amkodor completed machinery supplies. All in all, Venezuela received 254 vehicles made by Minsk Automobile Plant, 30 rock haulers made by BelAZ, and 20 Amkodor road construction vehicles. “We are now signing additional contracts for delivering machines to Venezuela,” said Viktor Sheiman.

First Vice Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko assured the Venezuelan side that Belarusian specialists intend to closely follow the gasification contracts. He reminded three important contracts were signed in late June. Those contracts envisage training gas industry specialists, providing technical aid in designing gas pipelines and providing aid for building gas pipelines.

Vladimir Semashko also called upon Venezuelan partners to be quicker in resolving issues relating to the construction of three plants for manufacturing Belarusian automobiles and tractors in Venezuela. He reminded, the two heads of state gave strict deadlines to specialists: only 18 months left till the enterprises should be up and running. The Belarusian side urged Venezuelan partners to accelerate the consideration and adoption of corresponding projects and schedules.

Vladimir Semashko underscored, during a narrow-format meeting Alexander Lukashenko and Hugo Chavez gave an instruction to consider the building of a road construction machinery plant in Venezuela with possible participation of Amkodor.