Bolivia

*Center of South America*North East: Brazil *South: Paraguay & Argentina *South West: Chile & Peru

Population: 10,290,003 people GDP: $24.6 billionInflation Rate: 9.9%

FACTS

FACTS*Roman Catholic (95%)

*Least Developed & Poorest Country*80’S Crisis and political instability (2003-2005)

*Largest Natural Gas Reserves*Land Mass: 1,058,581 (double as Spain)

*Key Sectors : mining,hydrocarbons and natural gas

Wiphala of QullaSuyu

*Whipala (Dual-National Flag)Represents Indigenous Regions

*The color of the longest diagonal line (seven squares) determines which of the four suyus (regions) the flag represents: white for Qullasuyu, yellow for Kuntisuyu, red for Chinchaysuyu, and green for Antisuyu.

Low Class: (Mayority)Aymara , Quechua, and white.

FACTS - Ethnic GroupsUpper Class (Minority):White &Mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry

Physical & Environmental Facts

• Extreme weather conditions:• -0º C in Andes (West)• Green Fertile Region (Middle)• Warm-Tropical near Brazil (East)

• The highest peak in Bolivia, the snowcapped Sajama (which rises to 6542 meters)

Environmental Issue:*Excessive Clearing of land-Slash and burn-Deforestation-Water Pollution

• Biggest Lake in South A./highest in the World• Border between Peru and Bolivia

Lake Titicaca

Physical & Environmental Facts

3 Major Regions:

A) Zona Andina/Altiplano-Andes Mountains

B) Zona Subandino (Cochabamba & Sucre)-Croping zone (due to near rivers)

C) Zona de los Llanos -Amazonas Jungle conditions

Exports

$8.332 billion (2011 estimate)

Main exporting goods:• Natural Gas• Soybeans and soy based products• Crude petroleum• Minerals: zinc, ore & tin• (25%) of all exports are hydrocarbons Main exporter partners are Brazil, US, South Korea, Peru, Argentina & japan.

Imports$7.126 billion (2011 estimate)Bolivia main imports items are :

• Petroleum

Their mayor partners for imports are Chile, Brazil, Argentina, USA & Peru

• Plastics• Paper

• Insecticides.

• Aircraft parts

• Prepared foods

• Automobiles

Trade Agreement/Partners

 Multilateral Agrement:*WTO member (12 September 1995)

Customs Union: *Andean Community (26 May 1969) Founding MemberMercosur (17 December 1996)

Preferential Partners:

Chile (6 April 1993)Mexico (7 junio 2012)USA (“Andean Trade Preference and Drug Enforcement Act)

UNASUR (18 May 2008)

Monetary Rate:Peso Boliviano (1 US dollar = 7.0100 Bolivian bolivianos)

Unemployment rate: 5.5%

GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,900 (2011 est.)

Languages are: Spanish (official) 60.7%, Quechua (official) 21.2%, Aymara (official) 14.6%, foreign languages 2.4%, other 1.2%

Electricity: From fossil fuels (67%) & from Hidroelectric Plants(31.7%)

Socio Economical Forces

Coca Plant – Drug Issue

• Natural location• Third biggest producer (after Colombia & Peru)• Regulated but not prohibited in South America• Illegal export and crop planting in other countries• Sacred Traditional for Andean Ethnic Goups• 35,000 hectares under cultivation in 2009, • Continuous struggle against and in favor of planting expansion

• 2009 Constitutional Article in Coca Preservation

Political Forces Chief of state: President Juan Evo

Morales Ayma

(since 22 January 2006)

inequitable distribution of resources, poverty, big non-Spanish speaking population (40%)

Nationalization of companies

Democratic Republic with 3 powers (Legislative, Judicial and Executive)

9 Administrative Departments

Three major forces (Left, Right, Middle), heavily influenced by power groups

Appearance

Dress:*For men neutral colors reflecting confidence & professionalismFor Women conservative due to high maleness

Clothing:*About 30 different different native ethnic clothing styles (vary a lot)

Body Language: *Always show professionalism and confidence*Personal space can be “transgressed” when saluting or goodbye but never exaggerate*Bolivians are curious. Ask about: how much a people earn? , Or how much it costs some item? This is not considered rude in their culture.*Foresee events according to past ones

Behavior and Communication

*Bolivians are optimistic, hardworking, and perseverant.

*Still it’s very hard to make business due to a huge gap between economic statuses and education

*World’s most entrepeneur Country (2009)

*Foresee events according to past ones

Protocols and greetings:

Handshaking when entering and leaving

Wait for them to start the conversation

Eye contact at every moment

Exchange Business Cards (recommended to have a side translated in Spanish)

Be sure to include your highest studied grade in order for people to call you that way

Call people by their name & profession, if it’s impossible use Mr. or Ms.

Give as gift something from your country or something really simple and professional

Meetings and Negotiations

You may be asked about yourself and your family

Wait for them to start the business conversation

Meetings are formal but in essence relaxed

Schedules are not very structure, you may be assigned a time and place but it’s only a guideline

No time limits in the meetings

Remember that as confortable as the meeting is never be to direct, stay always professional

If you don’t know Spanish, is better to bring a translator

Do’s and Don’ts

Gift Giving Etiquette

• Gifts are usually given in holidays like Christmas, New Year and birthdays

• Quality over anything else• Ideas:• Flowers (never yellow or purple)• Never give knives or sharp objects (means

you want to end the relationship)• Gift are not opened when received but later

Continious struggle on joining labor forces because of maleness (machismo) in the zone.

Women are the ones who involve the whole family in religious activites

Housewives, the ones who control all home activities

Women In Bolivia