Paul,
A very quick response. I discuss the current growth model in
Vzla a bit in the last chapter of my coming MR book, 'Build it Now:
Socialism for the 21st Century' (MR says late July now--- Perelman
screwed up their timetable!) but no numbers. I don't have the time
right now to search what's in my computer or on-line, but you can get
some data and projections from the Ministry of Planning and
Development website (starting with the 2001-2007 plan) and especially
from the Ministry of Basic Industry site (MIBAM). It's the latter
ministry where there's a very strong emphasis upon developing
production chains. The Minister, Victor Alvarez, is quite good--
specialised in teaching about new technology at UCV and is passionate
on the subject--- plus has spearheaded introduction of co-management
in state companies under the his authority as president of the
development corporation of guyana (CVG). Vzla has a lot going for it
besides oil and natural gas--- coal, iron ore, aluminum, water power,
(gold, too, coming) ,and this is where the main push is to move away
from unprocessed raw materials but to fabricate for a local market.
Incidentally, had lunch today with a deputy minister in
planning, and the new long-term plan is due out very shortly. Massive
investment expenditures-- much in joint ventures, and a very sizable
chunk of that is for RR development going east-west, parts of the
country never linked (except by the Orinoco) since all roads have
gone to caracas. It'll take 10 years at least for completion, I
suspect, and sections are being done in partnership with Chinese and
Italian firms.
Anyway, bottom line re the experts, they are probably so
blinded by the great successes in social programmes that they think
this is all there is. These days, though, you'd think they'd know to
go to the web-- eg., to the government on line site to begin with.
in solidarity,
michael
PS. Victor Alvarez is an old classmate of our Julio Huato (from
Faculty of Economics, Havana), and Julio spent some time with him and
at the ministry in February. So, maybe he can be sucked into making a
comment, too.
At 20:49 09/06/2006, you wrote:
Michael L. writes:
Aside from the substantial investments in developing human
capabilities, much money is going into development of basic industry
sectors and of production chains that break the dependence upon
foreign fabricators of local resources (in the classic colonial pattern).
This sounds like an important point -- and perhaps widely overlooked
outside of Venezuela*.
Is there a good reference that factually runs through the specifics,
(and/or do you have any time for a bit of elaboration)?
TIA
Paul
* (for example, at a recent Development Conference at the Grad Faculty of
the New School a prominent left Professor of Economics recently expressed
concern that Venezuela was NOT undertaking that sort of physical investment
in a room full of "experts", no one contradicted him).
Michael A. Lebowitz
Professor Emeritus
Economics Department
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6
Currently based in Venezuela. Can be reached at
Residencias Anauco Suites
Departamento 601
Parque Central, Zona Postal 1010, Oficina 1
Caracas, Venezuela
(58-212) 573-4111
fax: (58-212) 573-7724
