May 24, 2006

• Argentina rectifies on Venezuela's membership in Mercosur
• President Chávez announces full membership in Mercosur
• Venezuela officially out of G-3

• Venezuela to invest $700 million to build 'Steel City'

• Venezuela's first quarter GDP jumps 9.4% over last year
• Venezuelan aluminum cable producer Cabelum to invest US$25mn to boost capacity

• MCT increases budget for science and technology
• Venezuela agree to US$100mn contribution for small-scale miners in Bolivia
• Telecom Italia gets approval for Venezuela unit sale
• President Chávez meets with business people in London

• Argentina to sell Venezuela $239 Million in 2012 bonds
• Venezuela's mobile market grows 55.5%

• Venezuela and Paraguay target USD 30 million

• Venezuela reduces poverty levels

• Venezuela sees unemployment below 7 pct in 2006

• Venezuela companies may sell bonds maturing in over five years

• Cemex Venezuela profits gain 35% in Jan-Mar

• Venezuela increases minimum wage
• CANTV boosts 2006 profit outlook on mobile boom

• Gold reserve: Brisas capital costs rise 16% to US$638mn

• Venezuela notifies Andean Community
• Leaving Andean pact won't hurt Venezuela: Venezuelan Foreign Minister

• Venezuela jobless rate falls to 10.1 pct in March

• Venezuela: Government and peasants consolidate new agriculture model

• Venezuela says completes 75 pct of Brady buyback

• Government grants over USD $850 thousand to agriculture producers