Venezuela, China to Build Computer Factory

CARACAS: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Sunday he had signed agreements with Chinese companies to build a computer factory and electrical appliance plants in the South American nation. "A group of businessmen came and signed an agreement ... we are going to build a computer assembly plant in Venezuela," Chavez said during his weekly television and radio program. He did not say which companies' representatives he had met with in visits that took place over the past few days. He also did not provide investment figures but said the computers would be sold in the domestic market and exported to the Caribbean and South America. Chavez said he also signed agreements for joint ventures to build household appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines with Chinese partners.