By Rapheal John-Lall The Guardian T&T

Russia has contributed to Caribbean debt relief and will continue to contribute to the economic development of T&T and the rest of the region, Russian Ambassador to T&T Nikolay Smirnov said in a statement to the T&T Guardian.

Smirnov, a non-resident ambassador, said many Russian companies are interested in doing business in T&T and for the first half of 2015 trade between the two countries stood US$126 million.

“Russia has contributed to debt relief of such Caribbean countries as Cuba, Guyana and Grenada. The agreement with Grenada on relief of the debt amounting to US$266,667 was signed in November 2015 in Paris,” he said. He said that the Russian Federation contributed to the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Special Fund and over the last four years, its aggregate support totaled US$20 million.

Smirnov, whose comments came as the fourth meeting between the Caricom Secretariat and international development partners took place in Georgetown, Guyana, said the Russian-Caricom partnership was formed in 2010 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding which established a Mechanism for Political Dialogue and Co-operation.

It is aimed at promoting interaction and exchanges in the economic, trade, financial, investment, technological, scientific and technical spheres as well as exchanges and training in the fields of culture, education, healthcare, sports, youth development and tourism. Russia has also provided assistance in other areas.

“In addition to monetary assistance to Caribbean countries, Russia has donated medical perinatal equipment to Grenada, and St Vincent and The Grenadines.

“It is installed and successfully used in St George’s and Kingstown hospitals,” the ambassador said.

“In view of the growing threat of pandemic viruses, the Russian Federation continues research to create counter Zika, dengue, chikungunya vaccines. It has developed effective counter Ebola vaccines and opened an Ebola fighting centre in Guinea, Africa.

“We view Caribbean countries as equal partners and are ready to strengthen trade and commercial cooperation, investment opportunities, student, youth exchanges.”

For more on this story go to: http://www.guardian.co.tt/business/2016-03-14/russia-contributes-caribbean-debt-relief

IMAGE: Nikolay Smirnov