San Felix Asocomercio raises his voice in protest at measures State Authority
Written by Anggie Martinez / Photo: Edgar Azocar
Saturday, January 16th, 2010
"We're not bad guys," said the president Asocomercio Jose Olivo, for whom the state through misguided economic policies is leading the decline, especially the commercial sector that serves as the final link in the chain and therefore affected by a host of macro-social factors.
The information was provided in a press conference by Olivo, alongside the president of the Chamber of Industry and Mining, Fernando Goyenechea, a representative of the Chamber of Real Estate, David Bermudez and other officers of the Association of Businessmen and Industrialists of San Félix (Asocomercio ).

The electricity rationing and the introduction of a dual exchange rate system, are the opinion of business representatives of a political measures have been implemented in haste and without consultation.

For Olive, the state is attacking one of the sectors with the greatest increase, hence an important source of employment-is experiencing in recent years, because of the drop in investment in the manufacturing sector and a spiral of inflation that ends with household income.

The reported attack comes through strict inspection processes that are taking place throughout the country and for traders is done abruptly and unceremoniously to the retailers.

"Do not miss the utility to usury, but although we must not fall in the price speculation is important that the president knows it is inevitable that a rise in all products and services, and opposed the pay of those barely covers most basic expenses, "the president said.

The issue was also discussed and electric thereon indicated that although the country produces energy and is able to distribute it to other nations, questioned why the public has to live with constant cuts and service failures as if it were a country poor and not one that is capable of generating the black gold, oil, or raw materials that it could be exported will be processed easily by the geographic location of the state.

Less investment by light

Among those present was David Bermudez, board member of the Real Estate Chamber of Caroni, who elaborated on the current housing problem and the biggest drop that could be recorded this year due to restrictions on electricity consumption.

Not only larger housing supply, but greater source of employment for unskilled workers is relaunched it is necessary in the construction sector.

Bermudez commented, "to have more shopping options are lower prices, and the building creates a revenue stream for many branches of the economy."

However, despite the investment plans that have managed to organize areas of Ciudad Guayana and the Yara-Yara urban complex located in Puerto Ordaz, afraid to retract because the National Electric Coorporación (Corpoelec) could deny permits for the energy use due to the rationing plan.

"A few investors who still have hope in the region are motivated to invest, but if it continues the hostile climate for entrepreneurs we will have no more options," he revealed.

Another situation of concern to investors is the case in the prices of construction materials because even though they are produced domestically, with the cessation of templates in Sidor would cease manufacture of vital rebar buildings.

Against this background of economic imbalance, and heavy inspections of businesses in the city representatives who will take forward actions to the state measures as a possible closure of this sector.

Also a message to the government amounted to "a bridge built in communication with the private sector, since only rescued the production of the hand of domestic or foreign investors do not generate jobs and thus a better quality of life for families.

Oversight for the informal

Asocomercio representatives took advantage to file a petition to the municipal authorities to inspect also the informal sector since the latter does not provide all the income generated by the formal tax as taxes, or give security for consumers.

"The informal sector is not pursued by the Indepabis nor Seniat and although we understand that a major source of employment you can not punish or intimidate those who do generate revenue for the state," stressed the president of the organization, Jose Olivo.