  We discuss strangeness production in heavy-ion collisions within and around
the energy range of the planned NICA facility. We describe the minimal
statistical model, in which the total strangeness yield is fixed by the
observed or calculated $K^+$ multiplicity. We show how the exact strangeness
conservation can be taken into account on the event-by-event basis in such a
model. We argue that from strange particle yields one can reveal information
about the collision dynamics and about possible modifications of particle
properties in medium. This can be best achieved if the complete strangeness
measurement is performed, i.e. kaons, anti-kaons, hyperons and multistrange
hyperons are registered in the same experimental setup. In particular the
production of hadrons containing two and more strange quarks, like $\Xi$ and
$\Omega$ baryons could be of interest.
