Venezuela: Control over
Strategic Sectors
CARACAS - Venezuela
secured state control
over strategic economic
sectors with the
nationalization of its
cement industry,
essential to cut a
severe housing déficit.
The decision fits in
with the policy of
social improvement,
fight against poverty, a
painful paradox for this
oil-rich country, fifth
world exporter of crudes
but with millions of
persons living below
poverty level.
According to different
sources, Venezuela has a
deficit of 1.5 to 1.8
million lodgings, but
over 70 percent of
cement production is
exported, trend that it
now pretends to reverse
with nationalization.
Authorities reached
accords with Swiss
enterprise Holcim and
French Lafarge to buy 85
and 89 percent of
stocks, but failed to
reach an agreement with
Mexican CEMEX, so it
decided to nationalize
the Mexican part of the
assets.
The government and CEMEX
agreed to resume talks
on August 25 to near
positions on price of
its assets which the
Mexican company
estimates in 1.3 billion
dollars and authorities
value them in less than
400 million.
Control over cement
factories added to
nationalizations that
already include the
Orinoco Oil Belt, steel
industry, electricity
and some
telecommunication
companies as well as
banks as part of the
national development
plan.
Without eliminating
private investment, the
Venezuelan government is
looking to building a
platform that allows it
to go forward in its
agroindustrial
development plan and
continue to fund its
free social programs of
health, education and
others.
Despite criticism by
opposition forces and
some business sectors,
this orientation is well
received by over 70
percent of the
population, according to
a survey published this
week by the Social
Investigation Group (GIS
XXI) which gave a very
positive standing to
government performance.
Also, estimates of the
poll company 30-11 said
this week that
supporters of President
Hugo Chavez should win
19 of 22 governorships
in the regional
elections of next
November 23.
A sample of the use of
resources in social
benefit was this week´s
announcement that 130
thousand unemployed or
housewives received free
courses on work skills
through the Mission Che
Guevara.
In Chavez´s opinion,
this result fits in with
advances in development
which requires to manage
and work in socialist
productive units and
enterprises in the
communities, in the new
economic system now
underway in Venezuela. |
