Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce


The Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Production or Fedecámaras is Venezuela's main business union. It is formed by businesses that represent all economic sectors of the country.
Fedecámaras is composed of chambers of commerce in fourteen basic trade groups: banking, agriculture, commerce, construction, energy, manufacturing, media, mining, ranching, insurance, transportation, tourism, real estate and telecommunications. Additionally, 18 regional Fedecámaras chapters complete the organisation. Fedecámaras represents small, medium and large-size companies.
Fedecámaras' mission is to strengthen Venezuela's business system on the base of the principles of democracy and economic liberty. In practice this means acting as a concerting organism of Venezuela's main policies together with the government and other unions operating in the country. Its principal values are liberty, democracy, private property, professionalism and leadership.
This organization was at political odds with former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. During a failed coup d'état against him in April 2002, former Fedecámaras president Pedro Carmona assumed the role of interim de facto president of Venezuela for two days.

Background

Founded in 1944, Fedecámaras was formed with the main objective of protecting the free enterprise, by promoting the development and diversification of the country within a regulatory system that guarantees the rights of all individuals, and by defending its members and affiliates.

President and leadership

The current leadership for the 2017-2019 period is the following: Carlos Larrazábal Gonzalez is the President; Ricardo Cusanno is the first vice-president, Pedro Rivas is the second vice-president and Fernando Cepeda is the Treasurer.
List of past presidents Fedecámaras: