Economy
The Venezuelan government announced several measures aimed at boosting the electricity sector, including a ban on imports of non-energy efficient electrical appliances, a 20-percent electric power reduction by public institutions and increased thermoelectric power generation, Vice President Ramón Carrizález said.

The Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Electrical Energy and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Intermediate Industries issued two joint resolutions on this issue that were published in the Official Gazette.

Minister of Electrical Energy Ángel Rodríguez said that one of the major moves involves banning imports of appliances that are not energy-efficient and that boost power consumption. A board will be appointed to enforce the new regulation.