Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro speaks at the second Venezuela-Colombia binational tourism meeting in La Carlota, Miranda state, September 5. Photo: Presidential Press.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro proposed the creation of an Industrial Economic Zone for Investments, Production and Commerce on the border of Táchira state and Colombia’s Norte de Santander department.
“We are prepared to negotiate and sign on special conditions within the framework of the Organic Law of Special Economic Zones,” President Maduro stated on Thursday, September 5, during the inauguration of the second Venezuela-Colombia binational tourism meeting at the Bolívar Park Convention Center in La Carlota, Miranda state.
He also highlighted that Venezuela already has projects underway to build binational tourism corridors with Colombia.
President Maduro reported that the authorities of both countries are working with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) to create a large development zone between Norte de Santander and Táchira.
Tourist corridor connecting Mérida with Colombia
President Maduro also gave instructions on the opening of the Onia Bridge and a tourist corridor so that Colombian tourists can travel easily to the Venezuelan state of Mérida.
He instructed the governors of Mérida, Jehyson Guzman, and of Táchira, Freddy Bernal, to open this corridor “so that the Colombian people can enjoy the beauties of the state of Mérida.”
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In this regard, the governor of Mérida explained that there is demand in Colombia to open the passage to visit Mérida due to the importance of the Mukumbarí Cable Car System. Yet, until now, the land passage has only been to Táchira.
The governor also proposed that the Mérida airport be used as an alternate terminal with multiple destinations that would connect with the rest of South America.
President Maduro responded that the airport “can be a hub for Venezuela’s connection with Colombia and South America. Go on, do it. It is authorized.”
He also inaugurated three tourist routes in Táchira state: the Magical Moors of Capacho, the Pilgrim’s Way to Santo Cristo de la Grita, and the Journey to the Heart of Táchira Coffee.
President Maduro further highlighted that Venezuela has set the goal of attracting one million Chinese tourists annually. “We are working on that. We have advanced in the matter of the China-Venezuela direct flight,” he said.
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/SC/SF
