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Regional Meeting on the Challenges of Coordination and Convergence, and the Treatment of Asymmetries in Latin American and Caribbean Integration Venue: Permanent Secretariat of SELA Torre Europa, 5th floor, Caracas, Bolivarian Republic Venezuela
Caracas, 17 September 2008
Background | Objectives | Provisional Agenda | Documents Sponsors | Date and Venue | Hotels | Official Foreign Exchange Rate Languages | Transport | Migration Information | Contacts
The Permanent Secretariat of SELA has made several analytical efforts to support the necessary progress of the institutional framework for regional integration. In the conclusions and recommendations of the meeting on “The Institutional Architecture for Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean” (Caracas, 3 and 4 July 2007) and of the Meeting of Experts on “Interaction between trade policies and negotiations of trade agreements, and regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean” (Caracas, 22 October 2007), SELA’s Member States stressed that the Permanent Secretariat should continue working in the areas of analysis, debates, systematization, promotion and dissemination of information about issues related to the convergence and coordination of the regional integration process.
Particularly, Member States have urged the Permanent Secretariat to continue making analyses and proposals to foster economic relations among them – all of which must actually be supported by regulations to promote and allow for cooperation among the authorities in charge of foreign trade and investments in Latin American and Caribbean countries, while defining a “common trade policy” for the region vis-à-vis third parties. Member States have also underscored the need for the Permanent Secretariat of SELA to contribute with analyses and concrete proposals for correcting asymmetries among the region’s countries.
The aforementioned actions are aimed at contributing to the development of
regional integration through initiatives to foster coordination and convergence
of the various subregional groups existing in Latin America and the Caribbean –
which is one of the fundamental purposes of SELA.
Provisional Agenda SP/RR-DACTAIALC/DT N° 1-08
Base document SP/RR-DACTAIALC/DT N° 2-08
In the headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) Caracas, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Address: Avenida Francisco de Miranda, Torre Europa, Piso 5, Campo Alegre,
Date: 17 September 2008
With regard to hotel accommodation in Caracas, the Permanent Secretariat of SELA would be grateful if each participant chooses the hotel of his/her preference. In this connection, a list of recommended hotels for your security and proximity to SELA’s headquarters is provided: (List of Hotels). Please contact Mrs. Cora Romero, Travel and Arrangements Official of SELA (Telephones: (58-212) 9557111 and 9557124; Faxes: (58-212) 9516901 and 9515292; e-mail: cromero@sela.org) for hotel reservations arrangements.
Official Foreign Exchange Rate
The local currency redenomination came into force on 1 January 2008. Therefore, all amounts presented will be expressed in "Bolívares Fuertes" or "Strong Bolivars" (Bs.F).
The foreign exchange control regime has been in effect in Venezuela since 2003. (See http://www.cadivi.gob.ve/). The official exchange rate is Bs.F 2.15 per US$ 1.00 (US dollar). As set out in the Official Gazette of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela No. 38.272, the “Law against Illegal Exchange” came into force on 14 October 2005.
The official languages of this Regional Meeting will be Spanish and English. There will be simultaneous interpretation
For transport from the Airport from the International “Simón Bolívar” Airport in Maiquetía to Caracas, there is an authorized taxi service at the exit of the airport terminal. Authorized cabs can be easily identified since their colours are black with yellow logotypes printed on the doors.
This authorized taxi service has a cost of approximately Bs.F. 120.00 per travel (equivalent to about US$ 56.00, according to the official exchange rate of Bs.F 2.15 per US$), payable in national currency (Strong Bolivars).
For your own security, the coordinators of the Regional Seminar recommend you to EXCLUSIVELY use this taxi service. It is possible, upon request, to provide you support in order to reserve in advance such taxi service from the airport.
Migration Information for Entering Venezuela
Except for special cases, currently, entry into the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela of tourists of almost all nationalities is allowed. Nevertheless, visas are required for some of them.
For security purposes, it is recommended that information on migration should be consulted previously by contacting the Embassies and / or Consulates of Venezuela in the countries of origin or downloading the Web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mre.gob.ve/metadot/index.pl?id=2871;isa=Category;op=show
In case you need help from the Permanent Secretariat with migration arrangements, please contact Mrs. Cora Romero, Travel and Arrangements Official of SELA (Telephones: (58-212) 9557111 and 9557124; Faxes: (58-212) 9516901 and 9515292; e-mail: cromero@sela.org).
Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) Coordination by the Permanent Secretariat of SELA: Antonio Romero, Director de Relations for Integration and Cooperation; with copy to Patricia de Larrosa Telephones: 955.7121/955.7115/955.7111 Fax: 58-212-9515292 / 9516901 E-mails: aromero@sela.org; plarrosa@sela.org
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