SANTO DOMINGO.- The National Business Council (Conep) yesterday cautioned that the Government’s sale of a 49 percent stake in the Dominican Petroleum Refinery (Refidomsa) to Venezuela could be a mistake and expose the country to risks.

Conep president Lisandro Macarrulla said the sale of those shares to Venezuela for US$130 million, which represents a US$20 million profit after the Government purchased it from Shell for US$110 million, could be understood as a way to obtain a strategic ally in this crucial economic and social sector of the nation.

However, the business leader warned that although a transaction of that type could be considered normal, to incorporate an investor of that magnitude to a strategic sector of national security, who in his own country maintains an adverse attitude to free private initiative, could be risky and an error.

"For those reasons we call on the highest authorities to weigh a relationship of such importance for the Republic, mainly at times when we need to attract investors to bolster confidence and international credibility which we Dominicans enjoy," Macarrulla said.