History And Heritage
The Story Of a Growing Tree Of Blossoming Financial, Commercial And Industrial Fruits
OUR HISTORY
Mr Aref Kansao he is the founder of El CENTRO MERCANTIL (CM); is a long–‐time player in the Venezuela Automotive sector since 1954
Mr. Kansao an orphan who lived his dream and illusions to reach beyond the boundaries of his village and country of birth, Lebanon. His vision was to be a renamed business leader with honorable merits that he obtained later during his life time.
He is founder and president of CM. He, emigrated with his family to Venezuela year 1947 having only $2000 to initiate a new life destiny. He initiated his business life as sales man of toys on a cart in the streets of a small county of Zulia state. Later on, he capitalized to start in 1948 a 4 sq meter grocery store. In 1949 he initiated a small shop selling Philips radios and other home appliances. It was his first opportunity to build his financial and experience base and start constructing the pillars of future businesses. In 1951, due to his great success, he moved to a new shop selling home appliances as a representative dealer of General Electric in Zulia State.
1949 electro domestic shop
Philips
1951 General Electric
EL CENTRO MERCANTIL
In 1954, El Centro Mercantil C.A (CM) was founded by Mr.Kansao, with the General Motors franchise as an official dealership in Zulia State, later on ,expanded in the region as Automotriz Latino C.A, and other subsidiary companies, among them Auto Japon Honda dealerships.
Dealership 1954
Dealership 1959
Pontiac 1954
1966 Chevrolet Arcadian Canso
CM Automotive Assembly Plant
Year 2017 CM became the owner of the Automotive Assembly Plant in Venezuela, which was previously sold by Chrysler to General Motors.
Banking Sector
BOD Financial owns companies in three major market sectors: banking, capital markets, and insurance
Early 70’s, Mr.Aref Kansao, ranked as third share holder and Director, Board member of BOD Bank (Banco Occidental de Descuento).
MEGA Merchandise Chain Stores
As of year 2021 we are initiating macro consumer merchandise chain stores, inclusive with the latest evolution of e.commerce. Our special focus is to propagate in rural and low income areas. Pioneering will command a great portion of the country market, especially in communities hit hardest by the economic crisis and the Covid 19 propagation.
METSCOOIL
We are also a long time owner of a holding corporation based in Venezuela, Maracaibo and Geneva Switzerland, involved in Oil & Gas Consultancy and services.