The facility's resources would be magnified, private investors would be drawn in and the price of bonds would still be set by the market.

ECONOMIST: The world economy: Mountains to climb | The

Economic issues were also the concern of the China Daily, which said: ''Chavez's condition is also being watched closely by Latin American countries that have benefited from his generous assistance, as well as Wall Street investors who are drawn to Venezuela's lucrative and heavily traded bonds.

BBC: World media consider life after Chavez

None of these firms has gone as far in providing greater transparency as Tradebonds.com, a firm established barely six months ago, which quotes prices drawn from 400 brokers on more than 14, 000 bonds.

ECONOMIST: E-bonds, licensed to kill