Bolivia sold potassium chloride and lithium carbonate for $6.17 mn

The government says it is accelerating the lithium industrialization process. From January to May, @litio_boliviano captured 42 million bolivianos ($ 6.17 mn) from potassium chloride and lithium carbonate sales. In addition, YLB launched in April this year the "International Call for Direct Lithium Extraction" (EDL), to which more than 19 foreign companies have already applied.

Drug smuggling increases by 300%

In the first quarter of 2021, contraband drugs into the country grew by 300 per cent compared to the same period in 2020; the legal importation of drugs also increased, but only by 30 per cent. Source: Los Tiempos

Call for lithium extraction attracts 19 international companies

Bolivian lithium continues to be of interest in the global context. The Vice Minister of High Energy Technologies, Álvaro Arnez, stated that more than 19 foreign companies applied to the International Call for Direct Lithium Extraction (EDL), which launched in April this year Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB).

Government raises import tariffs on ceramics and glass containers

The Government approved Supreme Decree 4514, which provides an increase of between 15% and 20% in the import tariff on ceramic tiles and glass containers to protect domestic production.

Government lowers import tariffs on educational graphic material to zero

The Government approved Supreme Decree 4514, which lowers from 20% to zero the import tariff for educational graphic material.

Up to 30% of the agrochemicals entering Bolivia come from smuggling

Bolivia does not have an agrochemical production industry, so demand is being met exclusively by imports. In the last three years, smuggling these inputs has increased considerably, representing at least 30% of legal imports. Estimates indicate that this activity has an economic turnover of between $40 and $50 million annually and that, due to poor …

Bolivia paid almost $1 bn for arbitration awards, six cases in progress

Since 2006, the State has faced more than 15 lawsuits and had to pay close to one billion dollars in compensation to the foreign companies claiming for the nationalization. Six arbitrations are still ongoing.

12.5 million hectares are affected by deforestation and other problems affecting communities

A Fundación Tierra report warns about expanding the agricultural frontier in Santa Cruz and the consolidation of 12.5 million hectares of soybean, livestock and other crops. The Foundation's report warns about the expansion of the agricultural frontier in Santa Cruz and the consolidation of 12.5 million hectares of soybean, livestock and other crops.

Industries lose $4.3 mn per quarantine day but support the measure

After departmental authorities determined a rigid quarantine on weekends, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Cochabamba (ICAM) indicated that, for each day of suspension of activities, the sector stops generating 30 million bolivianos ($4.3 mn); however, it assured that the industries would comply with the determinations.

A new bonus will move $39.88 mn a year in the purchase of national products

The refreshment bonus, which public servants will collect through the Mobile Wallet application in 90 days, will move 278 million bolivianos ($39.88 mn) per year to purchase domestic products, the Government informed yesterday.