NewsWhore
04-06-2010, 03:40 PM
Speaking at a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Santo Domingo on Monday, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister announced that his country plans to purchase 49% of the shares in the Dominican Petroleum Refinery (Refidomsa). Reportedly, Foreign Relations Minister Nicolas Maduro said: "The deal (...) will become reality," Maduro was speaking to journalists after a meeting with President Leonel Fernandez. The minister said the purchase had been delayed for "technical problems that have been overcome." The deal had been announced for US$131.5 million, of which reportedly the Dominican government had already received advance payments and Venezuelan personnel were already working at the refinery. The deal was reportedly called off in reaction to President Leonel Fernandez's support for President Porfirio Lobo of Honduras.
On 21 January, Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez announced it would not go ahead with the deal because it did not suit its interests.
El Caribe newspaper interpreted the announcement as a sign that a reconciliation had been reached between Presidents Fernandez and Chavez.
Diario Libre reported that the deal would be signed in Caracas on 19 April. President Leonel Fernandez will travel to Venezuela for the signing, said Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa. Bengoa said the agreement would be sent to Congress for approval once it is signed.
During the press conference, Maduro also announced bilateral plans for trade and combating drug trafficking.
Local business leaders have asked for a tender to be held so they could also be able to bid for the deal. "We maintain the position that the government should allow the private sector to take part in an open tender," said Miguel Roig, president of the National Young Entrepreneurs Association (Anje), as reported in Diario Libre. He said this would bring greater efficiency and private investment to the government entity.
Trade Union leader Rafael "Pepe" Abreu of the CNUS said that the transaction needed to be one between two states so that it does not depend on one government or the "volatile" temperament of President Hugo Chavez. "The Commander loses his patience and can take on a confrontational attitude for the slightest thing. The negotiations should be a matter of state so that the deal does not depend on one man's or one government's temperament," he commented.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)
On 21 January, Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez announced it would not go ahead with the deal because it did not suit its interests.
El Caribe newspaper interpreted the announcement as a sign that a reconciliation had been reached between Presidents Fernandez and Chavez.
Diario Libre reported that the deal would be signed in Caracas on 19 April. President Leonel Fernandez will travel to Venezuela for the signing, said Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa. Bengoa said the agreement would be sent to Congress for approval once it is signed.
During the press conference, Maduro also announced bilateral plans for trade and combating drug trafficking.
Local business leaders have asked for a tender to be held so they could also be able to bid for the deal. "We maintain the position that the government should allow the private sector to take part in an open tender," said Miguel Roig, president of the National Young Entrepreneurs Association (Anje), as reported in Diario Libre. He said this would bring greater efficiency and private investment to the government entity.
Trade Union leader Rafael "Pepe" Abreu of the CNUS said that the transaction needed to be one between two states so that it does not depend on one government or the "volatile" temperament of President Hugo Chavez. "The Commander loses his patience and can take on a confrontational attitude for the slightest thing. The negotiations should be a matter of state so that the deal does not depend on one man's or one government's temperament," he commented.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)