Background
Bolivia,
named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish
rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series
of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic
civilian rule was established in the 1980s, but leaders have faced
difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug
production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment,
strengthening the educational system, continuing the privatization
program, and waging an anti-corruption campaign.
Bolivia,
long one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries,
has made considerable progress toward the development of a
market-oriented economy. Successes under President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA
(1993-97) included the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico
and becoming an associate member of the Southern Cone Common Market
(Mercosur), as well as the privatization of the state airline,
telephone company, railroad, electric power company, and oil company.
Growth slowed in 1999, in part due to tight government budget policies,
which limited needed appropriations for anti-poverty programs, and the
fallout from the Asian financial crisis. In 2000, major civil
disturbances in April, and again in September and October, held down
overall growth to 2.5%. Bolivia's GDP failed to grow in 2001 due to the
global slowdown and laggard domestic activity. Growth is expected to
pick up in 2002, but the fiscal deficit and debt burden will remain
high.
Holidays
Jan 1 - New Year's Day
Feb 2* - Carnival
Mar 25* - Good Friday
May 1 - Labour Day
May 26* - Corpus Christi
Aug 6 - Independence Day
Sep 2 - Labour Day
Nov 1 - All Saints' Day
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Ps:
These festivals' dates (*) given above are approximations which are
subject to change every new year. Besides, there are other additional
holidays celebrated in individual provinces and towns. For further
details contact the Embassy or the Viceministerio de Turismo.
Phone Codes
Country Code 591
Country Codes:
Bermejo 4
Caranavi 2
Cobija 3
Cochabamba 4
Guayarameran 3
La Paz 2
Oruro 2
Potosi 2
Riberalta 3
Santa Ana 3
Santa Cruz 3
Sucre 4
Tarija 4
Trinidad 3
Villazan 2
Yacuiba 4
Resources
Market Research
Bolivia country background notes
An overview of the country and its recent history produced by U.S. Department of State.
US-Bolivia Trade Statistics
The most recent information available from the U.S. Census Bureau.
US Embassy in Bolivia
Portal of United States Embassy in La Paz (Bolivia).
Lawyer's Guide on Bolivia
There ia available a detailed report about the laws and regulations for doing business in Bolivia.
CIA - The World Factbook - Bolivia
This
website indicates a wide range of detail information about Bolivia by
introducing under 8 different fields as its geography, people,
government, economy, communications, transportation, military,
transnational issues.
BU Libraries / Reseach Tools / Bolivia
This site provides different databases for conducting business in Bolivia.
About Bolivia
There
is available to find out Bolivian general outlook on the issues of its
social and business profile, passport/visa, money, accommodation,
government, duty free, health and so forth.
Trade Information
Bolivia's Business Associations
There
is a list which contains the contact information of business
associations settled in Bolivia as National Chamber of Exporters of
Bolivia, Bolivian Federation of Small Industry...etc.
The Bureau, Embassies and Consulates in Bolivia
There
is available the contact information of Embassies, Consulates and
Bureau established in Bolivia which are useful to get more information
about the business affairs of the related states as Britain, Canada
operated in Bolivia.
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