Panama - With the goal of promoting the socio-economic integration of Venezuelan migrants and refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean, IOM, through the Office of the Special Envoy for the Regional Response to the Situation in Venezuela (OSE), signed a collaboration agreement with the Chamber of Businessmen, Executives and Entrepreneurs of Venezuelans Abroad (CAVEX).

The work approach will make visible through evidence the contribution of Venezuelan migrants and refugees to the productive fabric of the countries that receive them, support their small and medium-sized enterprises and strengthen the institutional capacities of CAVEX and its network of more than 400 companies and enterprises, thanks to the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

"It is essential to support the efforts led by the Venezuelan diaspora to integrate their compatriots in their host countries and make visible the great cultural, social and economic contributions they make to their communities," said Diego Beltrand, IOM's Special Envoy for the Regional Response to the Venezuela Situation.

CAVEX is composed by 7 chambers of businessmen and entrepreneurs present in the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic, Peru and Chile, in addition to having the chamber of Venezuelan businessmen in Colombia as a partner. Each chamber is made up of Venezuelan businessmen and entrepreneurs who have developed their business units in the host countries. 
 
"This agreement is of great importance for businessmen and entrepreneurs of Venezuelan capital and we are very grateful for this great opportunity that will allow us to make visible with evidence the contribution of the diaspora among other lines of action that will allow us to be a meeting point." added Orlando Soto, president of CAVEX.

Among the priorities established in the agreement are the following:

• Conducting two studies in Panama and the Dominican Republic on the positive impact of Venezuelan migrants and refugees on the economy of these receiving countries.
• Support the participation of entrepreneurs and small businesses in regional trade fairs.
• The creation of a website to connect chamber networks at the regional level.

For more information, please contact:

Julio Croci, Office of the Special Envoy, jcroci@iom.int