“Hydrocarbons now represent only 19 percent, good news because it means that we are creating more jobs by adding value in our exports,” said Vice Minister of Foreign Trade Benjamín Blanco.
In statements on the third version of the “Bolivia for the World” forum, Blanco pointed out that this event promotes important business intentions through the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chamber of Exporters, Logistics and Investment Promotion (Camex).
The deputy minister said it is also necessary to highlight the behavior of Bolivian imports, which from January to August fell by 14,753 tons in terms of the volume of food and beverages, “that is, we import less, a figure that represents eight percent less. ““than last year,” he said.
He highlighted as a very positive element the increase in imports of capital goods, evidence of the industrialization that the country is experiencing.
“We had nine percent of capital goods imports,” said the vice president, “which means that the measures implemented by the government of President Luis Arce are working because companies are buying goods to be more productive.”
“There is also an 18 percent growth in the acquisition of transportation equipment, which in the case of Bolivia (inland) is also considered capital goods,” he added.
He also mentioned a decline in purchases of consumer goods abroad, “and that means our imports are aimed at the industrialization of the country,” he said.
When asked about the decline in export revenues from January to August of the current year, he replied that they reached seven thousand 358 million dollars, an amount lower than that of 2022.
He clarified that this situation should not be worrying because foreign sales in this period exceed the volume of sales from 2015 to 2021.
“If we compare to this entire phase, 2023 has surpassed it,” he said.
He emphasized that 2022 would be a record year. “Bolivia had never recorded so many exports, it was something extraordinary,” he said.
He recalled that in the first months of 2023, Bolivia practically blockaded Peru and was unable to transport its goods across this border to the Pacific ports, in addition to the strikes and blockades on the national territory and the complex international situation.
“Nevertheless,” Blanco emphasized, “2023 continues to be one of the best years for Bolivian exports, a value higher than all of our January-August foreign sales since 2015, with the exception of 2022.”
Regarding meat sales in the international market, he praised the fact that the Chinese market was made possible, where exports exceed $100 million.
“Of course, first the price of this product is guaranteed in Bolivian territory and then the export takes place,” he clarified.
He pointed out that they are currently working with Chile, a potential market that, for logistical reasons, offers Bolivia good competitive prospects due to its proximity, among other international destinations, for this product, “always to the extent that we can satisfy internal demand”. “, locksmith. .
ode/jpm