Countries
Bolivia
Bolivia is a lower middle income country in Latin America facing serious economic obstacles. Improving the business climate for private companies does not seem to be a priority for the national government. E.g. the level of taxes is clearly discouraging entrepreneurship: while in 2005 the corporate tax rate was 64 %, it has been raised to 80 % in 2011.
Unsurprisingly, Bolivia’s WB Doing Business rating has dropped from 111th in 2006 to 153rd in 2012.
Regional employers’ organisations are however quite active. DECP has been working with the Federación de Empresarios Privados de Cochabamba (FEPC) since 2008, with the Federación de Empresarios Privados de Oruro (FEPO) since 2010 and the Federación de Empresarios Privados de Chuquisaca (FEPCH) since 2011. The drafting of a strategic plan, a survey of members’ views and expectations, and the publication of a quarterly magazine have been supported financially.
DECP concluded a partnership agreement with the FEPC in February 2010, in which strategic planning, communication and lobbying were the most important items.