Evaluating Bolivia's Free Zones Legal Framework

La Paz, Bolivia

La Paz, Bolivia

Bolivia notified the WTO of a number of free zone concessions within the country by virtue of Document G/SCM/N/74/BOL of 10 January 2002. In 2004, Locus Economica Founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier evaluated Bolivia’s free zones framework on behalf of the World Bank’s Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS), concluding that the private sector concessions for such zones could help to make them a stronger tool for increased national exports and trade facilitation. By 2015, the country had 7 free zones, hosting 225 investors and approximately 30,000 workers, almost entirely in the 6 private zones. However, the private zones’ licenses were ultimately revoked in 2017, leaving the country with just 1 public free zone: ZofraCobija.