Business in BoliviaBusiness in BoliviaBusiness in BoliviaNegocios en Bolivia

Bolivia guarantees the right of any foreign enterprise to freely invest and carry out business activity in any field including agriculture, the import and export of products, mining, petroleum, and so on. It is specifically stated in the Bolivian Constitution that equal treatment under the law is to be given to foreign investors so long as they comply with the legal requirements within Bolivia.

To establish a commercial enterprise, the interested parties will have to formally present their credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA or Consulate outside of Bolivia). The MFA will issue a permit enabling the enterprise to begin their commercial activities.

A foreign commercial entity that intends to carry out their business activity within the Province of Santa Cruz will then register with the National Chamber of Commerce as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Santa Cruz. The enterprise will be issued the documentation necessary be included in the Registry for Commerce and Shareholder Owned Companies (Registro de Commercio y Sociedades por Acciones), within the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. Once the enterprise is thus legally chartered to carry out business activity in Bolivia, their commercial activity will be carried out within the legal framework provided by the Contract and Commercial Law of Bolivia. Contracts will be governed by Bolivian law unless it is otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties. Conflicts can be resolved through arbitration or other mechanisms as mutually agreed to by the parties.

Ownership of Land and Other Infrastructure

The law and procedure for buying real property for international investors is simple and the same as for Bolivian citizens. The ownership of the purchased property is transferred to the buyer after the contract and registration procedures pertaining to these goods are fulfilled. It is possible to have clear title to land established and registered through the National Institute for Agrarian Reform (Instituto Nacional de Reforma Agraria – INRA, funded in part by the World Bank and European Community).

Article 2 of the Bolivian Investment Law guarantees the rights, obligations and securities of the legal system to international investors consistent with the treatment of Bolivian citizens. There are no restrictions on entering into joint ventures with local individuals or enterprises. The tax, labor and other business obligations of the enterprise are consistent with those of any Bolivian enterprise.

Investment Incentives

There are no particular incentives for international investors in agriculture at this time. Large investors in the mining, energy, and communications sectors have been successful in negotiating special arrangements.

Reference legislation includes:

  • Art. 24-25 Constitution Politica del Estado
  • Art 43 Codigo de Comercio
  • Art. 136 Constitution Politica del Estado
  • Ley 1182 de Inversión

Questions regarding Bolivia’s regulations and legal structures should be addressed directly to

Natural Resources Management International’s Bolivian counsel in the U.S.

Reference Web Sites for Business in Bolivia

U.S. Department of Commerce

www.usatrade.gov/website/ccg.nsf/ShowCCG OpenForm&Country=BOLIVIA

Oversees Private Investment Corporation

www.opic.gov/ — Small Business

U.S. State Department

www.state.gov/www/background_notes/bolivia_0398_bgn.html

Central Intelligence Agency, Country Briefing Papers

World Bank

www.worldbank.org/html/extdr/regions.htm

Interamerican Development Bank (IADB)

www.iadb.org/exr/sitemap.htm

American Chamber of Commerce Bolivia

www.bolivianet.com/amcham/invest.htm#opportunities

Cámara Nacional de Comercio, Bolivia

www.bolivia-industry.com/index.html”

Camara de Industria y Comercio de Santa Cruz – Bolivia (CAINCO)

www.cainco.org.bo/

Bolivia.com

www.bolivia.com/

Ministerio de Comercio Exterior e Inversion, Bolivia

www.mcei.gov.bo/

Bolivia guarantees the right of any foreign enterprise to freely invest and carry out business activity in any field including agriculture, the import and export of products, mining, petroleum, and so on. It is specifically stated in the Bolivian Constitution that equal treatment under the law is to be given to foreign investors so long as they comply with the legal requirements within Bolivia.

To establish a commercial enterprise, the interested parties will have to formally present their credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA or Consulate outside of Bolivia). The MFA will issue a permit enabling the enterprise to begin their commercial activities.

A foreign commercial entity that intends to carry out their business activity within the Province of Santa Cruz will then register with the National Chamber of Commerce as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Santa Cruz. The enterprise will be issued the documentation necessary be included in the Registry for Commerce and Shareholder Owned Companies (Registro de Commercio y Sociedades por Acciones), within the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. Once the enterprise is thus legally chartered to carry out business activity in Bolivia, their commercial activity will be carried out within the legal framework provided by the Contract and Commercial Law of Bolivia. Contracts will be governed by Bolivian law unless it is otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties. Conflicts can be resolved through arbitration or other mechanisms as mutually agreed to by the parties.

Ownership of Land and Other Infrastructure

The law and procedure for buying real property for international investors is simple and the same as for Bolivian citizens. The ownership of the purchased property is transferred to the buyer after the contract and registration procedures pertaining to these goods are fulfilled. It is possible to have clear title to land established and registered through the National Institute for Agrarian Reform (Instituto Nacional de Reforma Agraria – INRA, funded in part by the World Bank and European Community).

Article 2 of the Bolivian Investment Law guarantees the rights, obligations and securities of the legal system to international investors consistent with the treatment of Bolivian citizens. There are no restrictions on entering into joint ventures with local individuals or enterprises. The tax, labor and other business obligations of the enterprise are consistent with those of any Bolivian enterprise.

Investment Incentives

There are no particular incentives for international investors in agriculture at this time. Large investors in the mining, energy, and communications sectors have been successful in negotiating special arrangements.

Reference legislation includes:

  • Art. 24-25 Constitution Politica del Estado
  • Art 43 Codigo de Comercio
  • Art. 136 Constitution Politica del Estado
  • Ley 1182 de Inversión

Questions regarding Bolivia’s regulations and legal structures should be addressed directly to

Natural Resources Management International’s Bolivian counsel in the U.S.

Reference Web Sites for Business in Bolivia

U.S. Department of Commerce

www.usatrade.gov/website/ccg.nsf/ShowCCG OpenForm&Country=BOLIVIA

Oversees Private Investment Corporation

www.opic.gov/ — Small Business

U.S. State Department

www.state.gov/www/background_notes/bolivia_0398_bgn.html

Central Intelligence Agency, Country Briefing Papers

World Bank

www.worldbank.org/html/extdr/regions.htm

Interamerican Development Bank (IADB)

www.iadb.org/exr/sitemap.htm

American Chamber of Commerce Bolivia

www.bolivianet.com/amcham/invest.htm#opportunities

Cámara Nacional de Comercio, Bolivia

www.bolivia-industry.com/index.html”

Camara de Industria y Comercio de Santa Cruz – Bolivia (CAINCO)

www.cainco.org.bo/

Bolivia.com

www.bolivia.com/

Ministerio de Comercio Exterior e Inversion, Bolivia

www.mcei.gov.bo/

Bolivia guarantees the right of any foreign enterprise to freely invest and carry out business activity in any field including agriculture, the import and export of products, mining, petroleum, and so on. It is specifically stated in the Bolivian Constitution that equal treatment under the law is to be given to foreign investors so long as they comply with the legal requirements within Bolivia.

To establish a commercial enterprise, the interested parties will have to formally present their credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA or Consulate outside of Bolivia). The MFA will issue a permit enabling the enterprise to begin their commercial activities.

A foreign commercial entity that intends to carry out their business activity within the Province of Santa Cruz will then register with the National Chamber of Commerce as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Santa Cruz. The enterprise will be issued the documentation necessary be included in the Registry for Commerce and Shareholder Owned Companies (Registro de Commercio y Sociedades por Acciones), within the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. Once the enterprise is thus legally chartered to carry out business activity in Bolivia, their commercial activity will be carried out within the legal framework provided by the Contract and Commercial Law of Bolivia. Contracts will be governed by Bolivian law unless it is otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties. Conflicts can be resolved through arbitration or other mechanisms as mutually agreed to by the parties.

Ownership of Land and Other Infrastructure

The law and procedure for buying real property for international investors is simple and the same as for Bolivian citizens. The ownership of the purchased property is transferred to the buyer after the contract and registration procedures pertaining to these goods are fulfilled. It is possible to have clear title to land established and registered through the National Institute for Agrarian Reform (Instituto Nacional de Reforma Agraria – INRA, funded in part by the World Bank and European Community).

Article 2 of the Bolivian Investment Law guarantees the rights, obligations and securities of the legal system to international investors consistent with the treatment of Bolivian citizens. There are no restrictions on entering into joint ventures with local individuals or enterprises. The tax, labor and other business obligations of the enterprise are consistent with those of any Bolivian enterprise.

Investment Incentives

There are no particular incentives for international investors in agriculture at this time. Large investors in the mining, energy, and communications sectors have been successful in negotiating special arrangements.

Reference legislation includes:

  • Art. 24-25 Constitution Politica del Estado
  • Art 43 Codigo de Comercio
  • Art. 136 Constitution Politica del Estado
  • Ley 1182 de Inversión

Questions regarding Bolivia’s regulations and legal structures should be addressed directly to

Natural Resources Management International’s Bolivian counsel in the U.S.

Reference Web Sites for Business in Bolivia

U.S. Department of Commerce

www.usatrade.gov/website/ccg.nsf/ShowCCG OpenForm&Country=BOLIVIA

Oversees Private Investment Corporation

www.opic.gov/ — Small Business

U.S. State Department

www.state.gov/www/background_notes/bolivia_0398_bgn.html

Central Intelligence Agency, Country Briefing Papers

World Bank

www.worldbank.org/html/extdr/regions.htm

Interamerican Development Bank (IADB)

www.iadb.org/exr/sitemap.htm

American Chamber of Commerce Bolivia

www.bolivianet.com/amcham/invest.htm#opportunities

Cámara Nacional de Comercio, Bolivia

www.bolivia-industry.com/index.html”

Camara de Industria y Comercio de Santa Cruz – Bolivia (CAINCO)

www.cainco.org.bo/

Bolivia.com

www.bolivia.com/

Ministerio de Comercio Exterior e Inversion, Bolivia

www.mcei.gov.bo/

Bolivia garantiza el derecho de toda empresa extranjera de invertir libremente y llevar a cabo la actividad empresarial en cualquier campo, incluyendo la agricultura, la importación y exportación de productos, minería, petróleo, etc. Está especialmente indicado en la Constitución boliviana que la igualdad ante la ley es que debe darse a los inversores extranjeros, siempre y cuando cumplan con los requisitos legales en Bolivia. Para establecer una empresa comercial, las partes interesadas tendrán que presentar formalmente sus credenciales al Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (MAE o Consulado fuera de Bolivia). El MFA emitirá un permiso que permite a la empresa a iniciar sus actividades comerciales. Una entidad comercial extranjera que tiene la intención de llevar a cabo su actividad dentro de la Provincia de Santa Cruz y luego se registrará en la Cámara Nacional de Comercio, así como la Cámara de Comercio e Industria de Santa Cruz. La empresa se emitirá la documentación necesaria se incluirá en el Registro de Comercio y Sociedades Accionistas (Registro de Propiedad del Commercio y Sociedades por acciones), dependiente del Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo. Una vez que la empresa está legalmente constituida tanto, para llevar a cabo la actividad empresarial en Bolivia, su actividad comercial se llevará a cabo dentro del marco legal establecido por el Contrato y la Ley de Comercio de Bolivia. Los contratos se regirán por la legislación boliviana a menos que sea de otra manera mutuamente acordada por las partes. Los conflictos pueden ser resueltos mediante arbitraje u otros mecanismos de mutuo acuerdo por las partes. La propiedad de la tierra y otras infraestructuras La ley y el procedimiento para la compra de bienes inmuebles para los inversores internacionales es simple y lo mismo que para los ciudadanos bolivianos. La propiedad de los bienes adquiridos se transfiere al comprador después de los procedimientos contractuales y de registro relativos a estos bienes se cumplen. Es posible tener título de propiedad a la tierra establecidos y registrados a través del Instituto Nacional de Reforma Agraria (Instituto Nacional de Reforma Agraria – INRA, financiado en parte por el Banco Mundial y la Comunidad Europea). El artículo 2 de la Ley de Inversión boliviano garantiza los derechos, obligaciones y valores del sistema legal a los inversionistas internacionales en consonancia con el trato de los ciudadanos bolivianos. No hay restricciones para entrar en empresas conjuntas con individuos o empresas locales. Las obligaciones de las empresas fiscales, laborales y de otra índole de la empresa son compatibles con los de cualquier empresa boliviana. Incentivos a la Inversión No hay incentivos especiales para los inversionistas internacionales en la agricultura en este momento. Los grandes inversores en la minería, la energía, y las comunicaciones han tenido éxito en la negociación de acuerdos especiales. Legislación de referencia incluye: Art. 24-25 Constitución Política del Estado Art. 43 Codigo de Comercio Art. 136 Constitución Política del Estado Ley de Inversión 1182 Las preguntas relacionadas con los reglamentos de Bolivia y estructuras legales deben dirigirse directamente a Consejo Gestión de Recursos Naturales Internacional de Bolivia en los EE.UU. Sitios de Referencia Web para los negocios en Bolivia Departamento de Comercio de EE.UU. www.usatrade.gov / website / ccg.nsf / ShowCCG OpenForm & Country = BOLIVIA Supervisa la Corporación de Inversiones Privadas www.opic.gov/ – Small Business Departamento de Estado de EE.UU. www.state.gov/www/background_notes/bolivia_0398_bgn.html Agencia Central de Inteligencia, Documentos de Briefing Banco mundial www.worldbank.org / html / extdr / regions.htm Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) www.iadb.org / exr / sitemap.htm Cámara Americana de Comercio de Bolivia www.bolivianet.com / AmCham / invest.htm # oportunidades Cámara Nacional de Comercio, Bolivia www.bolivia-industry.com/index.html ” Camara de Industria y Comercio de Santa Cruz – Bolivia (CAINCO) www.cainco.org.bo/ Bolivia.com www.bolivia.com/ Ministerio de Comercio Exterior e Inversión, Bolivia www.mcei.gov.bo/