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R 131951Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0405
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
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UNCLAS LA PAZ 000072 
 
SIPDIS 
PASS TO DEPARTMENT OF STATE - OFFICE OF INVESTMENT AFFAIRS (EB/IFD/OIA), USDOC 
WASHDC, AND CIMS NTDB WASHDC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB KTDB PGOV USTR OPIC BL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA - 2010 Investment Climate Statement 
 
REF: 09 STATE 00124006 
 
¶1. In response to reftel, Embassy La Paz submits the following 2010 
Investment Climate Statement. 
 
 
 
¶2. The Bolivian investment climate is undergoing a transformation. 
In February 2009, the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS)-led government 
obtained passage of a new constitution which aggressively promotes 
social inclusion, state-owned enterprises, control of natural 
resources, and worker's rights.  Key provisions of the new 
constitution stipulate: 
 
????         that Bolivian investment will be prioritized over 
foreign 
investment (Article 320); 
 
????         that economic activity cannot damage the collective good 
(Article 47); 
 
????         the right to private property -- as long as it serves a 
social function and is not against the collective interest (Article 
56); 
 
????         that transferring national resources that are the 
"social 
property of the Bolivian people" in favor of companies, people, or 
foreign states can be considered an act of treason (Article 125); 
and 
 
????         that Bolivian constitutional law supersedes 
international 
law and treaties (Article 410). 
 
 
 
¶3.  President Evo Morales was reelected in December 2009.  That 
election also resulted in a legislative majority for his party, 
Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS).  As part of their campaign, MAS 
pledged to pass over 100 laws to implement the new constitution's 
provisions.  These laws are expected to address indigenous land use 
rights; the respective roles of the legislative, judiciary, and 
executive branches; foreign investment; ownership of natural 
resources; public spending on health and education; and the roles 
of national, departmental, municipal, and indigenous authorities. 
However, until the legislative branch acts to enforce the new 
constitution, uncertainty will remain concerning what specific 
limitations may be placed on foreign participation in the national 
economy.  The 166th Congress was inaugurated and began its work on 
January 5, 2010. 
 
 
 
Openness to Foreign Investment 
 
 
 
¶4.                   Bolivia remains generally open to foreign 
direct investment, but the new constitution specifies that Bolivian 
investment will be prioritized over foreign investment (Article 
320).  Currently, foreign firms are not subject to special 
registration requirements and current investment law (Law 1182, 
1990) provides for national treatment of foreign firms.  However, a 
provision of the new constitution requires reinvestment within 
Bolivia of private profits from natural resources. 
 
 
 
¶5.                   Rule of law is weak and the judicial system is 
in transition.  Several members of Supreme Court face impeachment 
trials and the Constitutional Tribunal, the country's highest 
authority on constitutional matters, has not met since 2007 due to 
lack of a quorum.  Members quit the tribunal for a variety of 
reasons including violent protests by government supporters, a 50% 
pay cut, an attempt by the legislature to impeach four members, and 
health problems.  The new constitution stipulates that judicial 
power will be shared by the Supreme Justice Tribunal (previously 
known as the Supreme Court), the Departments of Justice in each 
 
department, and the local courts in each municipality.  There is a 
special jurisdiction for agriculture and environmental matters, as 
well as one for indigenous justice.  A new law is necessary to 
regulate the composition of the future Constitutional Tribunal and 
delineate judicial powers. 
 
 
 
¶6.                   During the December 6 national elections 12 of 
Bolivia's 327 municipalities voted in favor of indigenous 
self-government.  This concept of "indigenous autonomy" is new and 
the details of how it will function remain to be legislated by 
Congress.  However, the constitution does stipulate that this 
status will give them control over the natural resources on their 
land and a greater say in how to use funds transferred from the 
federal government.  In addition, legal disputes and crimes in 
these municipalities will be tried in traditional courts. 
 
 
 
¶7.                  The GOB is taking action to exert state control 
over key sectors of the economy.  The new constitution specifies 
that natural resources are state property and that the state will 
assume control over their exploration, exploitation, 
industrialization, transport, and marketing (Articles 348 and 351). 
In the case of hydrocarbons, the new constitution declares all 
hydrocarbons to be the property of the Bolivian people and cancels 
any existing contract that violates this principle.  At present, 
the state-owned and operated company, Yacimientos Petrol????feros 
Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB), manages hydrocarbons and must satisfy 
the domestic market at prices set by the hydrocarbons regulator 
before exporting.  Since taking office, the Morales administration 
has also nationalized, by obtaining a controlling stake and 
therefore management control, in Bolivia's largest tin mine, a 
smelting plant, the largest telecommunications company, and the gas 
transport industry.  The government has also publically announced 
that additional sectors, including the national pension system, 
water, electricity, and transportation, could be nationalized. 
 
 
 
¶8.                  The economy is described by the following key 
investment climate indicators: 
 
 
Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index: 
 
120 
 
 
Heritage Index of Economic Freedom: 
 
130 
 
 
World Bank Ease of Doing Business Rank: 
 
161 
 
 
MCC Government Effectiveness: 
 
47% 
 
 
MCC Rule of Law: 
 
42% 
 
 
MCC Control of Corruption: 
 
79% 
 
 
MCC Fiscal Policy: 
 
61% 
 
MCC Trade Policy: 
 
94% 
 
 
MCC Regulatory Quality: 
 
25% 
 
 
MCC Business Start Up 
 
33% 
 
 
MCC Land Rights Access 
 
80% 
 
 
MCC Natural Resource Management 
 
87% 
 
 
 
Conversion and Transfer Policies 
 
 
 
¶9.                  Currency is freely convertible at Bolivian 
banks and exchange houses.  The official exchange system is 
described as an "incomplete crawling peg."  This means the exchange 
rate is fixed, but undergoes readjustments which are not 
pre-announced to the public.  The Bank conducts a daily auction of 
dollars during which it offers a given amount of dollars at a set 
minimum price.  The authorities have held Bolivia's exchange rate 
at 7.07 Bolivianos (Bs)/U.S. $1 since October 2008.  The parallel 
rate closely tracks the official rate, suggesting the market finds 
the Central Bank's policy acceptable. 
 
 
 
¶10.              Current Bolivian law allows the repatriation of 
profits after paying a 12.5% withholding tax.  In addition, all 
bank transfers in U.S. dollars within and leaving the country must 
pay a financial transaction tax (ITF) of .03%.  Any hard-currency 
cash transport greater than U.S. $10,000 must be registered with 
and authorized by the Central Bank and Ministry of Finance. 
 
 
 
¶11.              Banking law (Law 1488, 1993) establishes 
regulations for foreign currency hedging and authorizes banks to 
maintain accounts in foreign currencies.  A significant, but 
dropping, percentage of deposits are denominated in U.S. dollars. 
 
 
 
Expropriation and Compensation 
 
 
 
¶12.              The Bolivian Constitution allows the government to 
expropriate property for the public good or when the property does 
not fulfill a "social purpose" (Article 57).  Noncompliance with 
the social function of land, tax evasion, or the holding of large 
acreage is cause for reversion and the land will pass into the 
ownership of the Bolivian people (Article 401).  Such expropriation 
of land will be preceded by payment of just indemnification.  The 
constitution also gives workers the right to take over companies 
that are closed or abandoned (Article 54). 
 
 
 
¶13.              The current mining and hydrocarbons laws outline 
procedures for expropriating land to develop underlying 
concessions.  In 2007, the Bolivian government nationalized the 
 
Vinto smelter belonging to Swiss company Glencore; the smelter is 
now run by the state mining company COMIBOL.  COMIBOL also regained 
control of the Huanuni tin deposit, evicting small cooperative 
mining operations that had previously been given rights to exploit 
portions of the deposit and returning all Huanuni mining to state 
control.  The Morales administration has signaled its intent to 
reactivate the mining industry by developing a new mining code 
redefining the state's ownership of mining operations and taxes on 
transnational mining companies' profits. The proposed MAS tax plan 
is a 50-50 split on the profits, up from 35 percent, and the 
elimination of a sales tax credit that companies can currently 
apply to their income tax. 
 
 
 
Dispute Settlement 
 
 
 
¶14.              Property and contractual rights are enforced in 
Bolivian courts, but the legal process is time consuming and may be 
subject to political influence and corruption.  Bolivia's 
Commercial Code (Law 14379, 1977) has roots dating from 1939. 
Although many of its provisions have been modified and supplanted 
by more specific legislation, it continues to provide general 
guidance for commercial activities. 
 
 
 
¶15.              The new constitution includes provisions that when 
operationalized could significantly change the business environment 
in Bolivia.  It provides that the constitution holds precedence 
over international law and treaties (Article 410), that new laws 
can be applied retroactively in workplace cases where the workers 
or accused would benefit (Article 124), and that the state will 
resolve conflicts between employers and employees (Article 50). 
 
 
 
¶16.              In addition, although the current investment law 
grants international companies the (contractual) right to 
international arbitration in all sectors, this conflicts with 
provisions of the new constitution.  Existing investment law states 
that international agreements, such as the Convention on the 
Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of 
Other States and the New York Convention of 1958 on the Recognition 
and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, must be honored.  It 
also mandates the recognition of foreign decisions and awards and 
establishes procedures for the Supreme Court's execution of 
decisions.  However, the new constitution limits foreign companies' 
access to international arbitration in the case of conflicts with 
the government.  It also states that all bilateral investment 
treaties must be renegotiated to incorporate this and other 
relevant provisions of the new constitution.  The United 
States-Bolivia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), which entered 
into force in June 2001, is likely to be affected by this action as 
the treaty guarantees recourse to international arbitration. 
However, until a treaty is renegotiated or terminated, the 
constitution protects the integrity of all international 
agreements. 
 
 
 
¶17.              In October 2007, Bolivia became the first country 
ever to withdraw from the International Center for the Settlement 
of Investment Disputes (ICSID), a World Bank body that referees 
contract disagreements between foreign investors and host 
countries. 
 
 
 
Performance Requirements and Incentives 
 
 
 
¶18.              Bolivia's overall trade policy continues to be 
based on a free-market model which generally does not apply 
specific restrictions to trade in goods and services, such as 
permits or prior licenses, with the exception that, as of January 
 
2008, all importers must register with the Bolivian National 
Customs Office.  Measures that do exist apply to cases where there 
is a potential for danger to human, animal, or plant health; to 
protect the country's artistic or cultural heritage; and to ensure 
the security of the state.  Specific measures have been enacted 
with regard to agricultural products, used clothing, and used cars. 
 
 
 
¶19.              The Bolivian government does not impose 
performance requirements as conditions for establishing, 
maintaining, or expanding businesses.  It does not generally 
provide tax or investment incentives for foreign investors, but 
some municipalities have established property tax exemptions for 
businesses located in their areas. 
 
 
 
¶20.              Bolivian labor law limits the ability of foreign 
firms to globally staff their companies by asserting that foreign 
employees are restricted to 15% of the work force and that foreign 
employees should be part of the technical staff.  Financial sector 
regulations restrict extraordinary compensation for managers and 
senior executives. 
 
 
 
Right to Private Ownership and Establishment 
 
 
 
¶21.              Overall, freedom to start, operate, and close a 
business is restricted by Bolivia's regulatory environment. 
Starting a business takes an average of 50 days.  Obtaining a 
business license requires 18 different steps that take, on average, 
225 days to complete.  However, foreign and domestic private 
entities have equal right to establish, acquire, and dispose of 
business interests and to engage in remunerative activity.  Private 
and public entities enjoy equal access to markets, credit, 
licenses, and supplies. 
 
 
 
Protection of Property Rights 
 
 
 
¶22.              The agrarian law (Law 1715, 1996) outlines the 
rights and obligations of land ownership and establishes an 
independent Agrarian Superintendent to administer the law's 
provisions.  In November 2006, the agrarian law was modified (Law 
3545) to stipulate that property deemed unproductive in reviews by 
the  National Institute of Agrarian Reform (El Instituto Nacional 
de Reforma Agraria - INRA) twice a year will revert to the state 
(although it is unlikely the INRA will have the capacity to conduct 
reviews this frequently).  This law also places limits on 
landowners' legal recourse in such cases.  The new Bolivian 
constitution similarly stipulates the right to private property as 
long as it serves a social function and is not against the 
collective interest (Articles 56 and 57).  In cases of public 
necessity, or where property is not serving a public function, it 
will be expropriated. 
 
 
 
¶23.              The new constitution also granted formal 
collective land titles to indigenous communities.  The Office of 
Property Registry oversees the acquisition and disposition of land, 
real estate, and mortgages.  Bolivia lacks an adequate system of 
title verification and challenges to land titles are common. 
Competing claims to land titles and the absence of a reliable 
dispute resolution process create risk and uncertainty in real 
property acquisition.  Illegal squatting on rural private property 
is an ongoing problem.  Mortgages are easily obtained.  It takes at 
most 60 days to obtain a standard loan. 
 
 
 
¶24.              The copyright law (Law 1322, 1992) protects 
 
literary, artistic, and scientific works for the lifetime of the 
author plus 50 years.  Bolivian copyright protection includes the 
exclusive right to copy or reproduce works; to revise, adapt, or 
prepare derivative works; to distribute copies of works; and to 
publicly communicate works.  Although the exclusive right to 
translate works is not explicitly granted, the law does prevent 
unauthorized adaptation, transformation, modification, and editing. 
The law also provides protection for software and databases. 
 
 
 
¶25.              The copyright law protects the rights of Bolivian 
authors, foreign authors domiciled in Bolivia, and foreign authors 
published for the first time in Bolivia.  Foreigners not domiciled 
in Bolivia enjoy protection to the extent provided in international 
conventions and treaties to which Bolivia is a party.  Bolivia 
belongs to the World Intellectual Property Organization and is a 
signatory to the Nice Agreement and the Paris, Bern, and Geneva 
Conventions.  The National Intellectual Property Service (SENAPI) 
reviews patent registrations for form and substance and publishes 
notices of proposed registrations in the Official Gazette.  If 
there are no objections within 30 working days, the organization 
grants patents for a period of 20 years. 
 
 
 
¶26.              The film and video law (Law 1302, 1991) contains 
elements of IPR protection, establishing a National Movie Council 
(CONACINE) to oversee the domestic film industry and requiring that 
all films and videos shown or distributed in Bolivia be registered 
with the organization. 
 
 
 
¶27.              The registration of trademarks parallels that of 
patents.  Once obtained, a trademark is valid for a 10-year 
renewable period.  It can be cancelled if not used within three 
years of the date of grant. 
 
 
 
¶28.              Bolivia has no laws protecting trade secrets. 
 
 
 
¶29.              While the new Bolivian constitution specifies that 
the state will register and protect intellectual property, 
including "collective intellectual property rights", it also 
explicitly states that "the right to access to medicines may not be 
restricted by intellectual property rights" (Article 41.2).  The 
existing copyright law recognizes copyright infringement as a 
public offense and the 2001 Bolivian Criminal Procedures Code 
provides for the criminal prosecution of IPR violations.  However, 
the enforcement of intellectual property rights remains 
insufficient, and Bolivia remains on the U.S. Trade 
Representative's Special 301 Watch List.  Video, music, and 
software piracy rates are among the highest in Latin America, with 
the International Intellectual Property Alliance estimating that 
piracy levels have reached 100 percent for motion pictures and over 
90 percent for recorded music. 
 
 
 
Transparency of the Regulatory System 
 
 
 
¶30.              The regulatory system was completely changed in 
February 2009 through a Supreme Decree that granted the various 
government ministries responsibility for regulating sectors under 
their purview.  However, the new system has not been put into 
practice yet and therefore, it remains unclear how transparent or 
consistent it will be in operation. 
 
 
 
¶31.              The new constitution forbids any private monopoly 
(Article 314).  This prohibition is enforced through specific laws 
that also ban unfair commercial competition.  There are also 
 
several sector-specific articles governing activity in specific 
industries.  For example, Supreme Decree 0071 (April 9, 2009) 
created the Supervisory and Management Authorities which regulate 
transportation and telecommunications, drinking water and basic 
sanitation, electricity, land and forests, and pensions.  A similar 
regulatory system governs the financial sector.  Commercial banking 
has its own regulator, separate from that of pension and stocks. 
Furthermore, the Criminal Code establishes sanctions for those that 
commit fraud against buyers. 
 
 
 
¶32.              Although most accounting regulations follow 
international principles, Bolivian accounting and reporting 
procedures do not fully conform to world standards.  Bolivian firms 
commonly maintain several accounting books: one for tax 
authorities, one for bankers, and another for management. 
 
 
 
Efficient Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment 
 
 
 
¶33.              Bolivian commercial banks were once closely held 
operations lending only to well-known individuals or firms, but 
foreign and national institutions now play a role in the banking 
system.  Bolivian banks have developed the capacity to adjudicate 
credit risk and evaluate expected rates of return in line with 
international norms.  In 2007, the government created a Productive 
Development Bank (PDB) to boost the production of small, 
medium-sized and family-run businesses.  Soft loans are offered by 
this bank.  The current estimated total assets of the country's 
largest banks are 57 billion Bolivianos (approximately US $8.06 
billion). 
 
 
 
¶34.              Credit is allocated on market terms, but foreign 
investors may find it difficult to qualify for loans from local 
banks due to the requirement that domestic loans be issued 
exclusively against domestic collateral.  Since commercial credit 
is generally extended on a short-term basis at high interest rates, 
most foreign investors prefer to obtain credit abroad.  Most 
Bolivian borrowers are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 
 
 
 
 
¶35.              Established Bolivian firms may issue short- or 
medium-term debt in local capital markets, which act primarily as 
secondary markets for fixed return securities.  Bolivian capital 
markets have sought to expand their handling of local corporate 
bond issues and equity instruments.  The securities law (Law 1834, 
1998) laid the groundwork for creating a truly modern securities 
exchange, but social unrest and economic disruptions have slowed 
its development.  Over the last few years, several Bolivian 
companies and some foreign firms have been able to raise funding 
through local capital markets. 
 
 
 
Competition from State-Owned Enterprises 
 
 
 
¶36.              The GOB is placing increasing emphasis on public 
enterprise and state control over key sectors of the economy.  The 
current administration has re-nationalized several large industries 
including much of the telecommunications industry (May 2008) and 
the gas transport industry (June 2008).  In September 2009, the GOB 
began focusing on the energy sector and started re-nationalization 
negotiations with hydroelectric plants that were transferred 12 
years ago to the private sector.  The government has also announced 
that additional sectors, including water and transportation, could 
be nationalized in the near term. 
 
¶37.              In an effort to create a "productive state," avoid 
monopolies, and generate employment, the GOB has created 10 out of 
13 proposed public companies in strategic sectors (food production 
- dairy products and sugar, industrialization of natural resources 
- paper and cardboard products, and internal and external market 
sales, a domestic airline, and a cement factory).  These 
state-owned companies are run by a state appointed board of 
directors.  Each director represents a ministry.  The general 
manager is usually appointed by a Supreme Resolution.  Private 
sector entities complain that these public companies generate 
subsidized, unfair competition with the existing private sector and 
are leading to a state-driven economic system. 
 
 
 
¶38.              The new Bolivian constitution states that all 
natural resources will be administered by the government of Bolivia 
(Article 351).  The government will grant ownership rights, and 
will control the exploitation, exploration, and industrialization 
of natural resources through public companies, communities, and 
private companies who will enter joint ventures with the public 
sector. 
 
 
 
¶39.              The constitution also specifically stipulates that 
all hydrocarbon deposits, whatever their state or form, belong to 
the government of Bolivia.  No concessions or contracts may 
transfer ownership of hydrocarbon deposits to private or other 
interests.  The GOB exercises its right to explore and exploit 
hydrocarbon reserves and trade related products through YPFB.  YPFB 
benefitted from government action in 2005 that required operators 
to turn over all of their production to it and to sign new 
contracts that gave YPFB control over the distribution of gasoline, 
diesel, and LPG to gas stations.  The new law allows YPFB to enter 
into joint venture contracts for limited periods of time with 
national or foreign individuals or companies wishing to exploit or 
trade hydrocarbons or their derivatives.  A similar proposed change 
to the mining code could require all companies to enter into joint 
ventures with the state mining company, COMIBOL. 
 
 
 
¶40.              Bolivia does not have a sovereign wealth fund. 
Banco Sur, whose members include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, 
Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela, is a monetary fund and 
lending organization to nations in the Americas for the 
construction of social and infrastructure programs.  This bank, 
which finances economic development projects to improve local 
competitiveness and promote scientific and technological 
development of the member states will begin operating in 2010. 
 
 
 
Corporate Social Responsibility 
 
 
 
¶41.              The new Bolivian constitution stipulates that the 
right to pursue economic activity cannot damage the collective good 
(Article 47).  Bolivian business has demonstrated an increasing 
awareness of, and interest in, issues of Corporate Social 
Responsibility (CSR) in recent years.  A number of major companies 
have dedicated CSR programs and the business press this year 
highlighted a study done by PriceWaterhouseCoopers that identified 
the country's best programs. 
 
 
 
¶42.              A leading trade think tank, the Instituto 
Boliviano de Comercio Exterior (IBCE) has developed the "Triple 
Sello" (triple stamp).  This independently audited certification 
scheme establishes that a business is free from child labor, free 
from discriminatory practices, and free from forced labor.  They 
expect to certify their first Bolivian company in 2010.  There are 
also a number of other organizations working in the field including 
Emprender Foundation, the local Junior Achievement affiliate; the 
Bolivian Corporation on Corporate Social Responsibility 
(Corporacion Boliviana de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial  - 
 
COBORSE) , a nonprofit organization to promote and disseminate 
Corporate Social Responsibility among companies and organizations 
operating in Bolivia; and the Center for Promotion of Sustainable 
Technology (Centro de Promoci????n de Tecnolog????as Sostenibles or 
CPTS), a USAID-funded component of the National Chamber of Industry 
(C????mara Nacional de Industrias) dedicated to promote the concept 
and practice of clean technology.  This last sponsored a national 
CSR prize in 2009.  The winner will be announced in January 2010. 
 
 
 
¶43.              Individual sectors have undertaken CSR 
initiatives, most notably the mining companies and the forestry 
concessions.  The miners have developed a working partnership with 
local communities and exhibit a relatively higher level of 
awareness.  These companies have been recognized through 
well-publicized awards.  Since 1996, the forestry sector has been a 
world leader in promoting sustainable forestry, with more than 2 
million hectares of certified forest.  The Forestry Association 
(C????mara Forestal de Bolivia) supports a certification fund that 
provides economic assistance to any forestry operator that wishes 
to certify. 
 
 
 
Political Violence 
 
 
 
¶44.              Bolivia is prone to social unrest that includes 
violence and disruption of the transportation of goods and people 
and political unrest will likely continue in the near future. 
Throughout the last year, various groups have staged large-scale 
protests and blockaded roads.  On several occasions, major airports 
have been completely shut down, and in September of 2008, American 
Airlines canceled their flights in and out of the country for over 
20 days due to the takeover of the Santa Cruz airport by 
demonstrators. 
 
 
 
Corruption 
 
 
 
¶45.              Contraband and corruption continue to be important 
issues in Bolivia, reflecting the country's large informal economy 
and the prevalence of tariff and tax evasion.  Approximately 34% of 
total imports are smuggled into the country.  Bolivia ranks 120 out 
of 180 countries on Transparency International's most recent 
Corporate Perceptions Index (CPI).  Recently, the President of 
Brightstar Corporation, a U.S.-based, privately-held worldwide 
distributor of mobile phone and wireless infrastructure products 
and services, announced he was canceling plans to establish a 
cellular telephone assembly plant in Bolivia due to the fact that 
it was impossible to compete in a market where 90% of the cell 
phones are sold on the informal market. 
 
 
 
¶46.              Officials accused of corruption are rarely 
prosecuted or convicted.  However, in 2005, the Bolivian government 
introduced a series of reforms to modernize its operations, improve 
existing legislation, and increase citizen participation in 
politics, augmenting the existing Financial Administration and 
Control (SAFCO) Law, with the State Employees Statute Act, and the 
Sworn Declaration of Property and Income Law.  The government also 
created a Judiciary Council and a Civil Service Superintendent. 
The new constitution incorporates a Human Rights Ombudsman whose 
job it is to protect civilians from government abuses.  The Vice 
Minister of Anticorruption is charged with promoting policies 
against corruption and is empowered to investigate corruption at 
any level in any branch of government.  In January 2009, congress 
announced its intention to pass a corruption law. 
 
 
 
¶47.              Bolivia's National Integrity Plan outlines 
proposals for judicial reform and state modernization.  Under the 
 
government's Institutional Reform Project (PRI), the Customs 
Service, the National Revenue Service, and the Ministries of 
Housing, Education, and Agriculture have been reformed and 
professionalized.  The National Road Service was disbanded for 
corruption in 2006 and replaced by another government entity, the 
Bolivian Highway Association. 
 
 
 
Bilateral Investment Agreements 
 
 
 
¶48.              Bolivia has signed bilateral investment treaties 
(BITs) with Argentina, Belgium/Luxembourg, China, France, Germany, 
Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, 
the United Kingdom, and the United States.  However, as indicated 
above the new Bolivian constitution includes provisions that 
require renegotiation of all the country's bilateral investment 
treaties. 
 
 
 
¶49.              The U.S.-Bolivia BIT entered into force in June 
¶2001.  Investors are entitled to the better of national treatment 
or most favored nation (MFN) treatment when they initiate an 
investment and while they maintain that investment, subject to 
certain limited and specifically described exceptions listed in 
annexes and protocols.  Under the treaty, expropriation can occur 
only in accordance with international law, e.g., for a public 
purpose, in a nondiscriminatory manner, under due process of law, 
and in a manner accompanied by prompt, adequate, and effective 
compensation.  Investors have the right to promptly transfer funds 
into and out of either country using market exchange rates.  This 
covers all investment-related transfers, including interest, 
liquidation proceeds, repatriated profits, and infusions of 
additional financial resources after initial investments.  The 
ability of either government to require investors to adopt 
inefficient and trade-distorting practices is limited, and 
performance requirements such as local content and export quotas 
are prohibited.  Investors have the right to submit an investment 
dispute with the treaty partner's government to international 
arbitration, with no obligation to use the host country's domestic 
courts. Several cases have been brought against the Bolivian 
government relating to their nationalization efforts (both in 
international and local courts), but most have been settled outside 
of court.  Investors also have the right to employ the top 
managerial personnel of their choice, regardless of nationality. 
 
 
 
¶50.              Bolivia is a member of the Andean Community 
(Comunidad Andina, or CAN) and the "Bolivarian Alternative for the 
Americas" (ALBA).  CAN is made up of four countries (Bolivia, 
Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru).  Under this agreement, products from 
members countries enter other member countries duty free.  ALBA is 
a 9-member alliance of South American and Caribbean countries that 
wish to ally with Venezuela's vision for "a new socialism for the 
21st century."  The agreement includes a trade agreement component 
that was signed in April 2006.  However, trade amongst the nations 
remains relatively small. 
 
 
 
¶51.              With the United States, Bolivia currently benefits 
from the General System of Preferences.  Under this agreement more 
than 5,000 agricultural and industrial products enter the U. S. 
duty-free from more the 150 developing countries.  In addition, 
Bolivia previously enjoyed trade benefits under the Andean Trade 
Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA).  However, Bolivia was 
suspended from the program effective December 15, 2008, when 
President Bush found that the country failed to meet the 
anti-narcotics provisions of the law.  Since the suspension was not 
lifted in June 2009, Bolivia was permanently removed from the 
legislation.  In December 2009 the ATPDEA legislation was extended 
for one year.  The U.S. Congress left the wording of the 
legislation the same, thereby excluding Bolivia from the 
possibility of ATPDEA preferences. 
E 
 
OPIC and Other Investment Insurance Programs 
 
 
 
¶52.              The 1985 U.S.-Bolivia Investment Insurance 
Agreement provides for a full range of Overseas Private Investment 
Corporation (OPIC) programs, including political risk insurance and 
loan financing.  OPIC provides financing assistance to U.S. firms 
through direct loans and guarantees issued by U.S. financial 
institutions. 
 
 
 
¶53.              The International Bank for Reconstruction and 
Development's (IBRD) Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency 
(MIGA) has offered a complete line of investment guarantees to 
foreign investors in Bolivia since October 1991. 
 
 
 
Labor 
 
 
 
¶54.              Approximately two-thirds of Bolivia's population 
of 9.8 million is considered "economically active," a figure that 
includes teenagers and children legally prohibited from working. 
Bolivian labor law restricts child labor and provides for worker 
safety, but enforcement is often ineffective.  Overall, between 60 
and 65 percent of laborers participate in the informal economy, 
where no contractual employer-employee relationships exist. 
Relatively low education and literacy levels tend to limit labor 
productivity, a fact reflected in wage costs.  Unskilled labor is 
readily available, but skilled workers are often harder to find. 
 
 
 
¶55.              Bolivia ranks worst in the world (183 out of 183) 
on the World Bank's index of flexibility of labor regulations, with 
overall rigidity in hiring and firing high.  The new constitution 
specifies that unjustified firing from jobs is forbidden and that 
the state will resolve conflicts between employers and employees 
(Articles 49.3 and 50).  Bolivian labor law guarantees workers the 
right of association and the right to organize and bargain 
collectively.  Most companies are unionized, and nearly all unions 
belong to the Confederation of Bolivian Workers (COB).  Despite 
international perceptions, extensive labor unrest in the private 
sector is uncommon, and most foreign firms enjoy positive 
labor-management relations. 
 
 
 
Free Trade Zones 
 
 
 
¶56.              The Bolivian government created 13 
commercial/industrial free trade zones (FTZs) through the country's 
nine provinces, including zones in the main cities of EI Alto, 
Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Oruro, Puerto Aguirre, and Desaguadero. 
The National Council on Free Trade Zones (CONZOF) oversees all 
industrial and commercial FTZs and authorizes operations. 
 
 
 
Foreign Direct Investment Statistics 
 
 
 
¶57.              According to Bolivian Central Bank statistics, FDI 
between January and September 2009 netted U.S. $264.8 million. 
During the same period in 2008, the figure was U.S. $480.2 million. 
In 2009, U.S. investments accounted for approximately 13% (U.S. $60 
million) of foreign direct investment inflows.  Higher levels of 
investment were made by Spain (U.S. $105 million) and Brazil (U.S. 
$98 million). 
Creamer