Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega Tuesday said Venezuela's aid to his country in 2007 and so far this year amounts to USD 385 million.

Ortega added that during the rest of 2008, President Hugo Chávez has committed to provide other USD 300 million to pave the streets in poor neighborhoods nationwide, among other things, Efe reported.

Reporting on the results of the recent Sixth Summit of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), held in Caracas, Ortega stated that the funds would be used to support the usury-zero programs and purchase of beans to be sold at "fair prices" to the poor. Surplus beans will be exported to Venezuela.

He added that Venezuelan aid does not stop there, as Chávez vowed to provide other USD 72.2 million to extend other programs.