June 30, 2007
President Chávez holds out another olive branch to private business sector

(VHeadline.com News) - "Returning from a visit to Russia, Belarus and Iran, President Chávez has offered support to the private business sector.

The President says he is interested in placing national products in foreign markets and has asked the business sector to set up a coordinating team to promote economic activities.

Chávez insists that he wants to see Venezuela grow as a power on the continent and in the world in the areas of petroleum, natural gas, petrochemicals and industry.

The government is prepared to provide financial aid to promote a series of joint projects with the countries that Chávez visited.

The President suggests that the new coordinating team he wants to see set up should be a committee, seeking business with Russia, Iran, Belarus, Brazil and Argentina for starters.

Detailing his vision, Chávez says several agreements with other countries have been signed for mixed companies to make bicycles, turbines, heavy machinery, machines to recycle solid waste, building tools, plastics, and factories to process foods.

'These are mother companies that are part of a new stage of technological transference... we want to start processing and building such plants here in Venezuela.' Another project is a petrochemical project somewhere in the Orinoco region."