HKND Group and the Nicaragua Canal Development Project Commission met recently with Belgian business delegation in Managua where they talked about the Nicaragua Grand Canal project.
The Belgian delegation consisted of seven major construction and engineering companies including SBE (one of the top global engineering consultants), DEME, Jan De Nul Group, IMDC (dredging consultant), SECO (technical control bureau), Vigan Engineering (ship loaders & unloaders manufacturer) and Sarens Group (worldwide leader in heavy lifting and engineered transport).
Also at the meeting were the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Nicaragua, Koenraad Lenaerts; the Commercial Attaché of the Belgium Embassy in Washington, D.C., Bernard Geenen and a representative from the Flanders International Technical Agency (FITA).
Assistant to the President of HKND Group, Mr. Zhu Xiaoya presented technical overview of the Canal project, studies and route realignment efforts, resettlement plan and current progress being made on the project.
Mr. Zhu indicated that Belgian firms, with their extensive technical experience and competitive advantages, are experts in dredging, lock construction, equipment supply and project management. He warmly welcomed Belgian companies to cooperate with HKND.
Laureano Ortega, member of the Canal Commission, briefed the delegation on legal and institutional framework governing the Canal Project and potential investment opportunities.
During the meeting, the attendees exchanged opinions on the design of Brito port, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) approval, tendering timetable and methods.
The Belgian delegation also met with senior government officials and representatives from the private sector to gain a comprehensive understanding of the developments and investment opportunities in the country.