Meeting between Venezuela’s Ambassador to Turkey and MÜSIAD Members in Istanbul (May 2025). Photo: Social Media.
Guacamaya, June 12, 2025. This week, a significant event took place where the first board of directors of the Venezuelan-Turkish Economic Integration Chamber (Cavetur) was sworn in. This new body aims to boost trade between Venezuela and Turkey. The goal is clear: reach $3 billion in trade exchange within the next three years, focusing on investments, tourism, and Special Economic Zones.
At a ceremony held this Wednesday, Cavetur’s board of directors was officially installed. This private initiative brings together 28 companies active in key sectors such as food, mining, services, banking, oil, and tourism. The chamber emerges as a new tool to economically unite Venezuela and Turkey, especially as both countries seek ways to expand collaboration and seize opportunities.
Hayri Kucukyavuz, elected president of Cavetur for the 2025-2027 term, stated that the chamber aims to achieve $3 billion in trade exchanges over the next three years. “Today we launch Cavetur with a solid team, where 25 of the 28 members are already serving in committees and coordinations. Our goal is clear: strengthen trade relations and attract Turkish investments to Venezuela,” Kucukyavuz commented.
One of Cavetur’s initiatives is to establish chapters in different regions. Work is already underway in Lara and Nueva Esparta. In Nueva Esparta, they plan to showcase the tourism potential of Margarita Island to Turkish entrepreneurs. “We want to bring investments to the regions. We’re already in contact with local businesses to present concrete proposals,” explained Kucukyavuz.
Salim Aboul Mouna, a board member and Honorary Consul of Turkey in western Venezuela, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Our countries have been advancing their relations. This is a challenge we take on with great conviction—we cannot fail.”
Cavetur’s board includes Hayri Kucukyavuz (President), Giussepe Sblano (First Vice President, Trienio TMO Investments), Tonny Succar (Second Vice President, Empaquetadora Las Nieves), María Herrera (Treasurer, Banco Plaza), alongside representatives from companies like Bancamiga, Constructora Metales y Petróleo, Invershow, Grupo Tres Automotriz, and Flexopack C.A.
Other key positions include Juan Miguel Nava as Executive President, José Benigno Rojas as Legal Advisor, and Dulce Feliciano in charge of institutional relations.
Special Economic Zones as a Core Pillar.
Beyond fostering business growth, Cavetur has engaged in ongoing dialogue with the Venezuelan government regarding Special Economic Zones (ZEE). These zones have been presented to Turkish entrepreneurs as areas offering highly attractive tax and customs incentives for investors.
One such area drawing interest is the ZEE of Nueva Esparta, known for its tourism potential. Past Turkish delegations have visited the island to evaluate investment opportunities. Cavetur has promoted Turkish company participation in sectors like oil, production, and culture as key to its economic diversification strategy.
Cavetur’s plans also include active participation in key events, such as the “Made in Venezuela” trade fair taking place in Turkey this week and the “Turkey Comes to Venezuela” exhibition scheduled for November at La Carlota, Caracas.
With Cavetur as a new platform uniting businesses and a focus on Special Economic Zones, Venezuela and Turkey are taking firm steps toward a stronger economic partnership. This collaboration seeks tangible benefits for both nations amid Caracas’s current isolation attempts by the United States and its allies.
