February 22, 2005
The National Assembly and Fedecámaras have formed an alliance

(El Universal) - "Representatives of the national business association Fedecámaras (Federation of Chambers of Industry and Commerce) met yesterday with the board of the National Assembly. This happens after almost three years of political confrontation in Venezuela, which had put a stop to the dialogue between both parties. This meeting opened the doors to commitment and understanding in the process of defining the legislative agenda.

President of the National Assembly, Nicolás Maduro, said that 'those Venezuelans who from 2002 to 2004 opposed the government in different ways, even outside the Constitution, will now have a space in public institutions in which they can dialogue and work for the future of the country'.

It seems important for the President of the Assembly that the business sector has 'a space in which it can participate, using policies of dialogue and coming together in mutual understanding', he considers it necessary to 'overcome false perceptions from both sides'.

Maduro also informed about several agreements made during this meeting. One of them is a link between the National Assembly and the national business sector, represented by Fedecámaras. We also agreed on the formation of commissions and meetings to determine policies regarding telecommunications, agriculture, tourism and metallurgic, among others.

President of Fedecámaras Albis Muñoz and members of its executive committee Ricardo Baquero, Alexis Sánchez and Alcíades Velasquez attended this parliamentary meeting together with presidents of AISS (Industries Association), Alfredo Gibbs, and FEDEAGRO (Federation of Agricultural Businesses), José Manuel González. Aurelio Cocheso, former President of Fedecámaras was also present among others.

Mrs. Muñoz, president of the leading business organisation said 'we talked about the installation of working groups to discuss several issues, some of which are of special interest, like the struggle against poverty and corruption, as well as issues like integration. We talked about the legislative agenda of future months, specially projects related to land law, illegal exchange, tax reform and tourism law'.