The economic plan for forestry aims to rebound production in the next five years, from 1.3 to 5 million cubic meters, increase from 90,000 to 419,000 jobs, generate an economic movement of $450 million in the domestic market and $1.2 billion in the external market, thus increasing its contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 0.7% to 4%.
The Ministry of Productive Development is driving new opportunities for Bolivian exporters and seeks to open up markets in Europe and the United States, building on new trade agreements. Currently, Bolivia exports 345 products of more than 5,000 possibilities to the European Union and the situation is similar to the United States. Exportable products would be derivatives of camelids, quinoa, Amazonian fruits, wine products and non-metallic minerals.
Bolivia’s President Jeanine Añez stressed that soybeans account for 9% of Bolivia’s total exports, which translates into more than $800 million annually, 44% of non-traditional exports. She added that the Soybean sector generates 120,000 direct and indirect jobs in the country.
Brazil is studying the construction of a bi-national hydroelectric plant with Bolivia on the Mamoré river (northwest of the country) at a cost of $5 billion, said the Brazilian general director of Itaipu Binacional, general Joaquim Silva e Luna. In the next three years, Itaipú Binacional will have its debt settled for the construction of its plant, which will release about $2 billion annually, half for Paraguay and half for Brazil, which can count on this money to invest in the construction of the new power central, he said.
Authorities in Bolivia said Thursday they have arrested a woman with suspected links to drug traffickers who amassed an inexplicable $150 million fortune within just a few years. Interior Minister Arturo Murillo told the Unitel television station that Dora Vallejos, 36, turned herself in the night before.
A $50 million trust has been created to support the forestry sector in Bolivia. The Government and the Bolivian Forestry Chamber (CFB) signed a cooperation agreement to allow the forestry sector to access international markets. The project contemplates $12 million for international customers of timber producers, under the modality of credit, with low interest during the next five years.
Argentina owes three invoices for the purchase of Bolivian natural gas, according to sources close to the Government. According to estimates by the consultancy Gas Energy Latin America (GELA), the amount to be paid reaches $246 million.
The National Tax Service (SIN) reported that tax collections in January of this year grew 2.8%, compared to the same month in 2019, reaching $388 million. According to the SIN, the increase was the recovery of sectors such as hydrocarbons and mining.
The Santa Cruz Cattle Producers Federation (FEGASACRUZ) reported that coronavirus is affecting the timing of delivery of beef to China and the destination of ports in that country has been changed. It was expected to export 1,000 tonnes of beef in the first months of 2020, but the delivery of this volume cannot be made possible because of the current situation. The country has an exportable surplus of 40,000 tonnes of meat that has to be shipped to China, Peru and other markets.
Bolivia’s Nuclear Energy Agency (ABEN), halted the construction of the Nuclear Development Research Center of El Alto, until the Legislative Assembly and the Office of the Attorney General, which have initiated audits of the project, are committed about it. Bolivia has already paid $351 million for the project. Russia’s Rusatom Overseas is in charge of the project.
