Business people want government to find alternatives to increase dollar flows

As several people have stated at a recent meeting of Bolivian and Brazilian businessmen, the lack of dollars is having a transverse impact on all sectors of the Bolivian economy. The private sector has proposed stabilizing the economy, finding new sources of foreign exchange, public-private partnerships and the preparation of Mercosur as measures to address this challenge.

Luis Laredo, president of the Cochabamba Federation of Private Entrepreneurs, said exporters, importers, service companies and the entire industry Affected by this situationwhich makes products more expensive and makes commercial operations difficult.

This was in conjunction with a speech by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, who said that stabilizing the Bolivian economy is essential to meeting this challenge. This means implementing measures to attract foreign exchange to the country, especially in the import and export sectors.

“The departure of three shipping companies from the country exacerbates the situation because it increases transportation costs, which in turn affects the final price of the product,” Laredo said in an interview with EL DEBER radio station’s Dinero 360 program.

It is recommended to find new alternatives to attract foreign exchange into the country. This includes holding a business roundtable with Mercosur countries to identify import and export opportunities.

In this sense, Laredo said Collaboration between the public and private sectors is important In the face of this challenge. The proposal to host a Southern Mexico Business Meeting in Bolivia to explore business opportunities was mentioned.

Mercosur regulations also present challenges, as it takes four years to adapt to them. Therefore, businessmen recommend starting work now to prepare for full integration into the common market.

In summary, the dollar shortage is a pressing issue in Bolivia that needs to be addressed by both the government and the private sector.