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1994-05-02
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<text>
<title>
Venezuela: World Trade Outlook
</title>
<article>
<hdr>
World Trade Outlook 1992: Venezuela
U.S. Exports Are Doing Well As Oil-Rich Economy Grows
</hdr>
<body>
<p>By Herbert Lindow
</p>
<p>The outlook for U.S. suppliers of goods and services to
Venezuela is for continued expansion of sales during 1992. With
$10.2 billion in imports in 1991, Venezuela is the fourth
largest market in the Western Hemisphere after the United
States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
</p>
<p>U.S. exports 1991--$4.7 billion U.S. imports 1991--$8.2
billion
</p>
<p> U.S. exports are projected to increase by at least 15 percent
as Venezuela's oil-rich economy expands at a real estimated
gross domestic product rate of 5 percent. In 1991, Venezuela had
a banner but atypical year as the economy continued to recover
from the sharp downturn of 1989 while also enjoying the benefits
of higher international oil prices resulting from the Persian
Gulf crisis. GDP grew about 9.2 percent while imports soared 54
percent.
</p>
<p> In 1992, major stimulus is expected from the government
sector--in oil, petrochemicals, aluminum, and steel--as
major development projects continue or get under way.
Furthermore, the government intends to undertake "social-mega"
projects involving eventual expenditures of up to $4 billion.
Targeted are housing, health, education, and an upgrading and
modernization of public services, e.g., water systems.
</p>
<p> In the oil sector, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the
state-owned oil company, recently announced a development plan
calling for investments of $48 billion over the 1991-96 period.
The plan includes expansion of oil producing capacity by nearly
one million bpd, additions to refining capacity, diversification
of petrochemicals, a $3.5 billion liquefied natural gas
joint-venture project with foreign investors, and expansion of
the tanker fleet. Full implementation will depend largely on
financing availabilities. Foreign investors have been invited
to participate. Privatization of government firms is giving the
economy an additional stimulus. In 1991, the government received
some $2 billion from privatization, with most of these funds
coming from the sale of parts of the telephone monopoly and the
VIASA airline. In November 1991, a GT&E-led consortium acquired
40 percent of the shares of CANTV, the telephone monopoly, for
about $1.9 billion. The consortium intends to spend some $10
billion over the next decade to modernize Venezuela's
telecommunications systems. The market for telecommunications
equipment is expected to grow from $150 million in 1990 to
about $700 million by 1995.
</p>
<p> Venezuelan government trade policy is outward-oriented.
Venezuela joined the GATT in 1990; supports the formation of an
Andean Pact customs union; and has signed or is negotiating
bilateral trade agreements with a number of countries in the
hemisphere. The Venezuelan market remains open to imports. There
are virtually no quantitative restrictions on nonagricultural
goods. Most import tariffs are in the 5-20 percent range, with
the top rate of 40 percent to be reduced to 30 and possibly to
20 percent this year. Foreign exchange is purchased in the free
market at the prevailing daily rate and is readily available.
</p>
<p> Product categories which have the best sales prospects
include: oil and gas field machinery and equipment, automotive
vehicles and parts, computers and peripherals,
telecommunications equipment, machine tools and metalworking
equipment, and construction equipment.
</p>
<p> For additional information, contact the Commerce Department
Desk Officer at (202) 482-4303.
</p>
<p>Source: International Trade Administration, Business America Magazine
</p>
</body>
</article>
</text>