MALAYSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (CAVENMA), CARACAS

The Embassy of Malaysia, Caracas, together with the Venezuela – Malaysia Chamber of Commerce (CAVENMA), Caracas, arranged another follow-up Meeting to discuss matters pertaining to “Sabas Nieves Plan” on Wednesday, 10 September 2008, at 1000 hours, at PDVSA – CVP Office in Caracas.

This time, the Meeting was arranged between both H.E. Ambassador Ramlan Kimin and Mr. Emir Machado, President of the Venezuela – Malaysia Chamber of Commerce (CAVENMA), with senior officials from the Venezuelan Petrol Company or “Petróleos de Venezuela S.A.” (PDVSA), to discuss the Fifth Element of the “Sabas Nieves Plan” i.e. “Urban Development in Orinoco River Belt”, in addition to the previous two meetings arranged by both the Embassy and CAVENMA with the “Corporación Venezolana de Guayana” (CVG) or Venezuelan Corporation of Guayana, Ministry of Basic Industries and Mining (MPPIBAM) of Venezuela, to discuss Rubber and Rubber Wood Industry in Venezuela.

Also presents during the Meeting were Mr. Cesareo Guyannes, Marketing Officer, Embassy of Malaysia, Caracas and Miss Fremar Jackman, Executive Director of CAVENMA. From PDVSA, those presents at the Meeting were:-

1.          Mr. Pedro Leon

Director General

PDVSA – CVP;

2.          Mr. Domingo Garcia,

General Manager,

New Evaluation and Development Business, PDVSA – CVP;

3.          Mr. Ramiro Royero,

General Manager,

Delta Social Development, PDVSA – CVP;

4.          Mrs. Adriana Y. Alvarado

Manager,

Delta Social Development PDVSA – CVP; and

5.          Mr. Cesar Ramirez

Manager,

Delta Social Development PDVSA – CVP.

It should be noted that in mid-August, President Hugo Chavez made an announcement to turn the Orinoco Oil Belt Region into a “Special Use Area” whereby several Socialist Integral Projects would be developed side by side with oil and oil-related development in that region.

To this effect, H.E. Ambassador was briefed during the Meeting through slide presentations by the senior officials of the PDVSA – CVP on the above-mentioned proposed Integral Projects which cover the following:-

(i)          Transport and Communication;

(ii)         Housing and Habitation;

(iii)        Electric System;

(iv)        Agricultural Production;

(v)         Agro Industries;

(vi)        Health;

(vii)       Education;

(viii)      Industrial Infrastructures;

(ix)        Potable Water;

(x)         Environment; and

(xi)        Urban Development.

Of all the above, the Transport and Communication; Housing and Habitation; and Urban Development appear to be very relevant to the Fifth Element of the “Sabas Nieves Plan” which is “Urban Development in Orinoco River Belt”. (The slide below has reference).

Towards this end, CAVENMA would take necessary follow-up actions to ensure that the eventual implementation of the “Urban Development in Orinoco River Belt” under the “Sabas Nieves Plan” be in accordance to the “Special Use Area” as announced by the President of Venezuela.

Before the Meeting ended at about 1300 hours, it was agreed that few more meetings be held in a near future to discuss further the Plan.