DOING BUSINESS IN SANTA CRUZ

Bolivia's business culture reflects the blend of ancient and modern cultures found in a gorgeous country with tremendous potential for growth and development. Sadly, Bolivia often gets a bad rap! With news reports on its unpredictable political and economic systems, and with the stereotypes that result from this, many of Bolivia's truly wonderful features are all too often ignored! Bolivia's people are hardworking, optimistic, forward-thinking and perseverant, despite several setbacks affecting the conduct of business, trade and industry that Bolivia struggles to overcome:

Politically the country has “tested” several models including forms of democracy, capitalism and socialism in an attempt to find a suitable model to benefit its population. This has caused the economy to fluctuate greatly and thus is considered unstable and risky by foreign investors.

Culturally the country is diverse and there is great economic disparity between different social groups. Discontent among a large part of the country's poor population has led to social unrest, road blocks, manifestations, strikes and other forms of expression that make it difficult to provide the all-important element of continuity businesses need in order to prosper. In addition, much of the population has no access to higher education making it challenging at times to find qualified labor.

Watch this great documentary on the rise of Santa Cruz to its current position as Bolivia's principal income-generating region. (7.5 minutes. English sub-titles.)

But for business people with great vision, these challenges are the reason Bolivia may continue to show great potential and be considered an interesting option for investment and growth. Simply put, because so many industries are still new and relatively underdeveloped, it is possible for investments to be profitable. The key to working in or with Bolivia may be the ability to envision and anticipate possible future events and developments based on what is already known about the country's political and economic environment, and carefully plan for contingencies when setting up a business or entering into contracts. With some cautious research and attention to detail, companies can and should prepare to weather the country's transitions as it seeks out its place in the global economy, without the need to take their investments elsewhere.

An important point to note is that western and eastern Bolivia differ as greatly as night and day geographically and socially. The western, mountainous half has very little industry and agriculture while the eastern portion of the country is largely lush and tropical. Santa Cruz is the country's financial, industrial and agricultural capital. Its people are very protective of its wealth of natural resources and have loudly voiced their concern over any government decision that would adversely affect their ability to participate successfully in global trade. They are eager to ensure Bolivia's government provides the necessary environment for secure foreign investment.

This section provides information for those looking to conduct business with or in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. You'll find descriptions companies, industries, chambers of commerce, and associations, as well as highlights of important related events that take place periodically in different regions of the country.

I'll also provide tips on customary etiquette in Bolivia, information on investments and trade, and recommendations on good locations for conferences, meetings and conventions. You can even find information on how and where to connect utilities and other services such as electricity, water, phones, internet, cable TV for your business.

Are you investing or doing business in Bolivia, or have you in the past? You can share your best advice for business in Bolivia right here online. Click on this link to allow others to benefit from the valuable lessons you've learned. Trust me, you'll be a hero. Those of you who are contemplating doing business in or with Bolivia: you'll find the articles other businesspeople have contributed beneath the form on the same page.

You can also learn some essential Spanish words and phrases for your business trip to Bolivia or contact a translator or interpreter for your business needs in Bolivia.

The Bolivian government has set up a page online that explains in detail each and every single type of document required for all kinds of business and personal applications. Unfortunately the site is exclusively in Spanish of course, but for those of you who plan to set up a business or request residency in Bolivia, this site is kept up to date and provides flow charts showing the order to follow for all documentation processes, as well as examples of some documents. Check out this site on Bolivian documentation.

FUNDEMPRESA is the government organism where ALL COMPANIES that are set up in Bolivia are registered. Its website, also in Spanish, explains the documentation process to follow to ensure your company is duly registered and recognized by the Bolivian government.

The World Bank has a page in English that explains each step you must take to start a business in Bolivia. It's an excellent list that explains each step you will have to take, how much each will cost, and even how long you should expect each process to take. It also explains the ORDER in which you must take all steps needed to set up a business in Bolivia. You should take this as a reference, and of course always consult Bolivian authorities when you actually begin the process because labor laws change unexpectedly and frequently here.

The following is a real time exchange rate calculator.

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