Venezuelan products make inroads into island markets with border reopening
CORO - Two months after the maritime border between Venezuela and the three ABC islands was reopened, the export of Venezuelan products has reached the milestone of one hundred thousand kilos. This announcement comes from Sergio Quintero, the Secretary of Economy, Production, and Export for the Governor of Falcón.
At present, there are eight Venezuelan ships facilitating trade in various products. Four of these ships have a capacity of forty to sixty tons, while the remaining three are smaller vessels with a capacity of seven to eight tons. Additionally, there is a dedicated vessel for the transportation of fish, with a capacity of six tons.
"There are more trips to Curaçao from the artisanal port of La Vela, although the three ports – Tucacas, Guaranáo, and La Vela – are operational. We are also in the process of arranging departures to Curaçao from Tucacas," Quintero stated.
"If the current pace continues, we may achieve historic figures of fifteen to twenty ships in maritime traffic before the end of this year."
Fruits and Vegetables
Islands mainly demand fruits, vegetables, and other products in export like bananas, watermelons, avocados, tomatoes, and onions.
The reopening of the maritime border between Venezuela and the three ABC islands has reached a milestone of one hundred thousand kilos of exports after two months. Sergio Quintero, the Secretary of Economy, Production, and Export for the Governor of Falcón, provided this update.
The islands primarily request fruits, vegetables, and other products such as bananas, watermelons, avocados, tomatoes, and onions. There has also been an export of plastic and dry goods, especially to Curaçao, which initially faced restrictions.
It is expected that charcoal and construction materials like sand, stone, cement, windows, aluminum profiles, and more will also be added to the export package.
Dairy products, including hard cheese, "telita," and "guayanés" from various producers in western Venezuela, including Zulia, Trujillo, Mérida, Lara, Anzoátegui, and of course Falcón, are also being exported.
Quintero emphasized the significance of the Curaçao government extending the stay duration of boats at the floating market in Punda from two to three months.
Recovery Efforts
Quintero also highlighted the efforts of the Bolivarian government, led by President Nicolás Maduro and Governor Víctor Clark, which led to respective contacts and negotiations with the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the reopening, enabling formal exchanges now.
Currently, all measures are being adapted to formalize economic relations according to international standards, and ship owners are gradually becoming familiar with new procedures and requirements, both in terms of migration and nautical matters.
Quintero underscored that each active boat creates fifteen to twenty direct Venezuelan jobs, in addition to the indirect employment opportunities stemming from cargo transportation, production centers, ports, and the entire value chain.
Private Sector
The official emphasized that export activities are carried out by the private sector, with government support to facilitate the processes.
Meetings have also been held with representatives from Mérida and Trujillo who are interested in the possibility of exporting from the region, as well as with international investors to explore opportunities and take actions for improvement.