PRODUCT EXPRESS
In the framework of the visit of President Hugo Chávez to the neighboring country, the businessman Lorenzo Mendoza gave an interview on Caracol TV. The president of Empresas Polar was in Colombia to attend a business forum organized by The Economist
Radar / Caracol TV - Colombia / Thursday March 31 2011, 11:15 pm. Interview by the journalist Paola Ochoa.
RB: You are one of the richest men in Venezuela and, according to Forbes magazine, is one of the 300 richest in the world. How does it feel to belong to that club in the middle of a region that is one of the most unequal in the world?
LM: The truth is that I do not look for these measurements. I fully understand that journalism sell anything, and Forbes has categorized. We have never given answers or interviews that, so I do not know how to account for that reality. I am a product of a family that has worked for 70 years committed to the country, and Venezuela in particular, continually reinvesting and creating a lot of prosperity and welfare. We have more than 35,000 workers on the payroll, more than 180,000 indirectly, so our passion really is to generate prosperity and welfare by means of work and effort. I had the opportunity to access quality education, I was raised under a Salesian model very, very Jesuit, on the street, but I had everything in life and I've been lucky, no doubt has not been what I have been encouraged or addressed to me in life. My tastes and my pleasures are exactly like yours, and many are the pleasures of everyday life, and somehow that is what characterizes me. Do not stop at all, to such publications. Indeed, I seem foolish and superficial and do not represent in any way what I believe, think and do.
RB: Here in Colombia is not known only for that reason, but because lately it has become public enemy number one of President Chavez. You have been the subject of much criticism of him from many attacks. Why do you hate Chavez?
LM: You've got to ask it going to be here. I do not think I hate, I think it is within the political issue. I can not imagine hating a human being to another. Those of us on this planet we must understand that tolerance, communication and respect is what should characterize. I respect President Chavez is the president of my country, accounts for the presidential seat of my country, whenever I speak publicly and privately, I mean he and President Chavez because I think a lot, respect, beyond that on the other side there is no such recognition (...) I would have to ask him. Actually we are a company Cherished Venezuelans because we connect with them in all dimensions.
RB: There should be easy to survive the persecution, if you want to call it. Every Sunday the country's president launched personal attacks against you. I also expropriated, because it has expropriated some warehouses of food companies. Have you ever thought of leaving Venezuela. In other words, I will give up and go?
LM: Watch never, never. First because I have no sense of persecution. Turn and repeat, I'm the product of a Jesuit and Salesian education too, and somehow we all step in this life and while we have to do good. I have 6 children beautiful children of different ages, which obviously this type of baseless attacks and insults rude in any way affects, mostly because they are children and do not understand much. But in any case, I'm going to Venezuela under any circumstances. This is a spectacular country that I love, runs through my veins, and is what I electrifies my whole being. I am passionate about, like I said, of Venezuela.
PO: It is said that President Chavez is in Venezuela because there has been a strong candidate in opposition. Have you thought about running for president of Venezuela? And I ask because I read it, as some media rumor-Caracas.
LM: I'm not a politician, I have no aspiration to the presidency of the republic. I am a committed and passionate entrepreneur representing private enterprise and creation of wealth and prosperity for many, and people who watch it are seeing somewhat of a management company linked to a successful, committed to the country, values \u200b\u200band principles, long-term vision, always optimistic and see what the odds.
PO: How does the employer a new stage of relations between Colombia and Venezuela?
LM: As an entrepreneur more of the many that exist in Venezuela (...) I see very well the relationship between Venezuela and Colombia recomposed, every point of view. How nice that politicians and presidents of our countries believe the bridges that are needed for that to happen. The most important thing is that come through economic integration, come on people, come by everyday. Do not come for politics. You can have hugs, speeches and many news sources covering events, but finally ending and sisters energize people are our products, services, culture, manners, people who connect through products and services that Colombians and Venezuelans do do.
RB: Speaking of that, this is due April 21 agreement of tariff preferences was between Colombia and Venezuela because they turn 5 years of Venezuela's withdrawal from the CAN. How does this affect you personally? And how is the economic relationship in this scenario, we run out of preferences between the two countries?
LM is very unfortunate, because it is incredible that in the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) has worked so hard and yet the political issues have exceeded the interest of peoples in the economic part. I am convinced that something has to go out bilaterally between Colombia and Venezuela, with a new integration process, take care and keep all the formalities policies, but where we have complementary benefits and economic countries.
PO: Their companies have many years in Colombia. Do you have new plans in our country?
LM: We're seeing evidence of growth opportunities in Colombia in several categories in the food area, where there are attractive opportunities for the portfolio that we know how to handle. That surrounded by a Venezuelan company, because we are a Venezuelan company to the marrow, are Venezuelans and we bring the best of Venezuela to the countries where we operate.
PO: What Colombian businessman admire? Many
LM. I have been fortunate to meet Gonzalo Restrepo, a beautiful person Success Group. For me is a person whom I have much appreciation, much love.
