CONEP president Elena Viyella de Paliza told reporters yesterday that the business association congratulated the government on the new IMF Stand By Accord as long as it does not imply any new taxes. Viyella said that local businesses and industries must become more competitive in their quest to open new markets, and any additional taxation would hurt their position. She said that CONEP viewed any new taxes as a contradiction of the policy to restore confidence and competitiveness as expressed by President Fernandez. The newly-re-elected business leader told reporters that the first 100 days of the Fernandez administration had managed to reduce public spending, which was a very good sign.