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Doing Business in Bolivia
 

If you are a U.S. company that is interested in doing business in Bolivia you have come to the right place. We are here to help you! We work to promote the export of goods and services of American companies and develop and protect US business interests in Bolivia. We hope you take a moment to read the information below as well as the opportunities, reports, and customized services detailed throughout our webpage. 

Exporting to Bolivia

President Obama announced the National Export Initiative (NEI) two years ago, with the goal of doubling exports by 2014. U.S. embassies are committed to supporting U.S. companies to start exporting or grow their exports to Bolivia. In this section, you’ll find a quick description of Bolivia as an export market and some suggestions for getting started.

Getting Started

 We are always happy to help you as you decide whether to export to Bolivia.  Below are some basic steps to consider.

  1. Browse the links to the left, especially the Economic Overview, and read the Country Commercial guide, with focus on chapter 9, the Investment Climate Statement.  
  2. Contact your local U.S. Export Assistance Center for advice and support on exporting to Bolivia. Contact a Trade Specialist Near You.
  3. Contact your local Small Business Development Center (SBDCs). Starting a business can be a challenge, but there is help for you in your area. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are partnerships primarily between the government and colleges/universities administered by the Small Business Administration and aims at giving educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. 
  4. Contact in-country business support organizations such as the American Chamber of Commerce Bolivia. 
  5. Make use of business matchmaking services available through the Embassy's Economic and Commercial Section by contacting us at CommerceLaPaz@state.gov.

Investing in Bolivia

This section provides information for current and potential investors in Bolivia.

Potential investors: Getting Started. 

If you are considering investment in Bolivia, here are some steps you may wish to consider as you get started:

  1. Browse the links to the left, especially the Economic Overview, and read the Country Commercial guide, with focus on chapter 9, the Investment Climate Statement. 
  2. Register with the U.S. Embassy – If you are planning a visit to consider investment, let us know by sending an email to us at CommerceLaPaz@state.gov.
  3. Contact local U.S. business support organizations, such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Bolivia or other related organizations, available on our useful links page. 
  4. Subscribe to our Embassy Facebook page.

Current investors: Staying Connected.

If you are a current U.S. investor in Bolivia, the U.S Embassy wants to stay in touch. Here are a few steps you can take to keep the channels of communication open:

  1. Register with the U.S. Embassy – If you are active in Bolivia, let us know by sending an email to CommerceLaPaz@state.gov.
  2. Add us to your mailing lists – we are always happy to stay informed
  3. Subscribe to our Embassy Facebook page.
  4. Set up a meeting with our economic or commercial team to discuss any issues that arise.

 Working in Bolivia

In this section you will find information on business visas, travel advisories, and anti-corruption tools.

Business Visas

For information on obtaining a visa to visit Bolivia, the most up to date information can be found at Consulado General Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia.

The Bolivian visa application can be submitted by mail or in person at any Bolivian Consulate. To apply by mail, the user must send all required documents, along with a pre-paid postage envelope with the return address of the Consulate’s Office. The consulate is not responsible for the application and passport while they are in transit with a courier.

Travel Advisories

Make sure to check the current State Department travel advisory for Bolivia.

FCPA

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is an important anti-corruption tool designed to discourage corrupt business practices in favor of free and fair markets.  The FCPA prohibits promising, offering, giving or authorizing giving anything of value to a foreign government official where the purpose is to obtain or retain business.  These prohibitions apply to U.S. persons, both individuals and companies, and companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges. The statute also requires companies publicly traded in the U.S. to keep accurate books and records and implement appropriate internal controls.   

More information on the FCPA

A party to a transaction seeking to know whether a proposed course of conduct would violate the FCPA can take advantage of the opinion procedure established by the statue.  Within 30 days of receiving a description of a proposed course of conduct in writing, the Attorney General will provide the party with a written opinion on whether the proposed conduct would violate the FCPA.  Not only do opinions provide the requesting party with a rebuttable presumption that the conduct does not violate the FCPA, but DOJ publishes past opinions which can provide guidance for other companies facing similar situations.

More information on the DOJ opinion procedure(PDF 135KB).