Paulwell
in Venezuela for trade talks
Jamaica Gleaner
Kingstown
Petroleumworld.com 07 02 06
PHILLIP PAULWELL, Minister of Industry, Technology,
Energy and Commerce, and a delegation left for Venezuela
yesterday for bi-lateral discussions between the
two countries.
Minister
Paulwell is expected to hold talks with his Venezuelan
counterpart, Rafael Ramirez, on a loan agreement
under the PetroCaribe deal.
The
two countries are also expected to sign off on a
US$300 million loan for Highway 2000.
During
Monday's weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica
House, Information Minister Colin Campbell said
other matters for discussion include the rehabilitation
of physical infrastructure damaged by Hurricane
Ivan, cooperation in air transport and the supply
of 2,500 barrels of oil per day for Air Jamaica.
At
present, Venezuela provides 21,000 barrels of oil
per day to Jamaica as part of the PetroCaribe Initiative.
However, the additional 2,500 barrels of oil for
Air Jamaica was put on the table as part of the
negotiations with Venezuela, at a time when oil
prices around the globe were skyrocketing to alarming
levels.
OTHER
ISSUES
Agreements
on other issues such as the upgrade of the Petrojam
oil refinery and the expansion of the PETCOM chain
of service stations should also be settled.
"It
is our expectation that we would conclude and sign
off on all the projects and proposals that are before
the Venezuelan Government," Campbell assured.
The
delegation to Venezuela includes Permanent Secretary
in the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Dr.
Jean Dixon; executives from Petrojam, representatives
from the Ministries of Finance and Planning and
Transport, Works, Water and Housing, and a representative
from the Attorney-General's department.
The
subject of diplomatic relations between the two
countries comes at a time when the United States
is increasing pressure on countries in South America
and the Caribbean against supporting Venezuela for
a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security
Council. The two-year seat reserved for the region
becomes vacant in October when Argentina ends its
term.
Opposition
Leader Bruce Golding has cautioned the Government
against supporting Venezuela for fear of damaging
the diplomatic relations with the United States
(U.S.); this at a time when rhetoric between the
U.S. and President Chavez of Venezuela has become
even more confrontational.
The
U.S. fears that should Chavez succeed in elevating
his country to the council, he will use it as an
opportunity to frustrate its foreign policy goals,
such as restricting Iran's nuclear activity.
Jamaica Gleaner
Wednesday | June 28, 2006
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