Bolivia

Bolivia remains a marginal foreign trading partner (0.01% of our trade). In 2010, the trade balance was unfavourable to France (EUR -43M ). The volume of trade between our two countries stood at 88M euros in 2010. The remoteness, lack of diversification of the economy and the legal framework which is still scarcely favourable for investments explain the limited presence of French companies in Bolivia.

French exports to Bolivia stood at €22.5M in 2010 (Bolivia’s 13th-biggest supplier country). France’s main export items are: intermediate goods (38% of the total), specifically metals (lead, zinc or tin); professional capital goods (35%), which are mainly mechanical, electrical, electronic and IT goods; pharmaceuticals, perfumes and cosmetics (22%). Fewer than a dozen French companies are established in Bolivia, but only investments made by Total (gas) remain significant. The Bolloré group wants to participate in the concerted exploitation of lithium in the Salar de Uyuni (which accounts for 30% of the world’s reserves at this time), but in November 2010, the Bolivian government decided to exploit lithium alone, at least at first. The decision of the Bolivian government to nationalize the electrical energy sector on 1 May 2010 affected the GDF-Suez group, which held 35.7% of the capital and was a 50% shareholder of the hydro-electric power plant in Corani (compensation procedure under way).

Imports from Bolivia remain weak (ranking 106th among France’s supplier countries) although they are growing regularly: €65.3M in 2010. The are concentrated essentially in products in the mining sector, agricultural and agri-food products and chemicals. In 2010, Bolivie accounted for 0.01% of total French imports.

Updated on 05.05.11