U.S. Department of Commerce, Trade Information Center, International Trade Administration
14th and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20230
Main Switchboard: 800-USA-TRADE (http://trade.gov)

Venezuela-American Chamber of Commerce
Torre Credival, Piso 10
2nda Avenida de Campo Alegre
Campo Alegre, Apartado 5181
Caracas 1010A, Venezuela
Tel: 58-212-263-0833, Fax: 58-212-263-1829/0586
E-mail: Venam@ven.net
(http://www.venamcham.org/english/)

The Consumer Price Index increased 18.7% in 2007, following increases of 13.7% in 2006, 16.0% in 2005, and 21.7% in 2004. Early monthly statistics suggest that annual inflation could be as high as 30% in 2008.

All foreign exchange requests must be approved by the National Exchange Control Administration (CADIVI), and the Central Bank (BCV) completes all legal purchase and sale of foreign currency. In January 2008, the Venezuelan Government adopted the "bolívar fuerte" as its new currency, effectively redenominating the previous currency, the "bolívar," by removing three zeroes (1 bolivar fuerte=1,000 bolívars). The current exchange control regime rate for U.S. dollar exchange is Bs.F. 2.145=U.S. $1.00. Unofficial exchange rates are far higher.

Central Bank-held international reserves increased to over U.S. $36 billion at the end of 2006. The reserves would have been higher, but the BCV transferred $6 billion to the National Development Fund (FONDEN) during the last quarter 2005, as directed by the Central Bank Law (July 2005) and an additional $4.3 billion in 2006.

The Venezuelan Government dominates the economy. The state oil company, PDVSA, controls the petroleum sector. Government companies control the electricity sector and important parts of the telecommunications and media sectors. In the spring of 2008, the government announced the nationalization of cement and steel producers, as well as select companies in the milk and meat distribution sectors. These and previous nationalizations, as well as other threats to property rights and an uncertain macroeconomic environment characterized by high inflation and foreign exchange controls, have led to reduced space for the private sector and low levels of private investment.

There is considerable income inequality. The Gini coefficient was 0.42 during 2007. According to government statistics, the percentages of poor and extremely poor among Venezuelan population were 27.5% and 7.6%, respectively, for the first half of 2007.

Although economic growth has been impressive, as a result of the oil windfall, many in the Venezuelan business community remain very concerned about President Chavez' vision for "21st Century Socialism" and what it portends for the private sector.