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In
taking over the Presidency of VenAmCham’s
Board of Directors, Edmond Saade’s objective is to improve the relations
between Venezuela and the United States, giving priority to possible
energy agreements. “VenAmCham
will encourage improved relations with the United States and promote
bilateral energy agreements.”
The
recently elected President of VenAmCham
presented his message at the opening of the 2006 ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVES,
traditionally the main event of the country’s business community.
EDMOND
SAADE’S MESSAGE:
“I want to thank the directors of VenAmCham
for their trust in electing me as the Chamber’s president during
this decisive moment for the organization and for the country.
"I
think it is worth mentioning the main elements of our mission as
a binational chamber:
- To promote
the commercial exchange and investments with the US.
- To promote
the free enterprise, free commerce and free market system, as
well as the social responsibility of companies, with the purpose
of generating an appropriate environment in which member organizations
and the whole country can develop and prosper.
- To promote
and protect the general, legitimate interests of its members.
"The
Chamber’s board of directors will continue to work eagerly in order
to defend the principles of our mission.
"Regarding
the Unites States, it is important to remember that, during the
last year, the trade between Venezuela and the US represented 52%
of the entire global commercial relationship (in 2004, it was 45%),
which generated a trade balance in favor of Venezuela worth US$
21,000 million.
"Regarding our main export product, oil, Venezuela provides
11.5% of the US total oil imports, and approximately 70% of Venezuela’s
oil exports are destined to the US.
"On
the other hand, the US is the country from which we import the majority
of goods and services.
"VenAmCham
will spare no effort in defending the free enterprise, free commerce
and free market system. All economies need to enjoy economic freedom
in order to promote the social wellbeing and progress of its citizens.
Within this context, the right to property is fundamental in ensuring
the prosperity of nations in today’s world.
"Referring
to protecting the interests of our members, during 2006 the Chamber
will make a major effort to set out and defend the needs of our
members before the official entities.
"The
Chamber sees with much interest the need to set out our objectives
before the National Executive and before President Chávez.
"Our
main objective in 2006 is to encourage improved relations with the
US and to promote bilateral energy agreements.
"VenAmCham
will propitiate the necessary approaches to discuss and evaluate
the issues affecting the business climate, including the new laws
of the National Assembly. For us, legal security, physical safety,
private property and the impartiality of the judicial system are
essential. Transparency and exchange of opinions are indispensable
in creating a proactive and stable climate for the development of
the economic activity and, as a result, improving the quality of
life for all Venezuelans.
"The
country needs to support and motivate private investors, both national
and foreign. No State is self-sufficient for creating sufficient
jobs and thus supporting the process of social development of its
citizens. The contemporary history demonstrates categorically that
countries that have encouraged private investment, like China, Brazil,
Chile and Spain, have achieved economic stability, social progress
and reduced poverty levels.
"Finally,
I want to make reference to the social responsibility of our members.
This chapter is full of satisfaction and achievements, each day
we see new evidence from the private companies of their active participation
in helping the less favored groups of the population.
"In
VenAmCham,
we want to be part of the solution and not of the problem."
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