Relations between Switzerland and Bolivia are good. Bolivia is a priority country for Switzerland's bilateral development cooperation carried out by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Bolivia
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
The SDC has been active in Bolivia since 1968. As part of its cooperation strategy, the SDC has carried out projects in the areas of decentralisation and human rights, climate change mitigation, and employment and income.
Switzerland and Bolivia have agreements covering air transport, technical and scientific cooperation, and disaster relief.
Economic cooperation
Trade between the two countries is modest. In 2019, Switzerland imported goods – primarily agricultural and mining products – worth CHF 7.2 million from Bolivia. Swiss exports to Bolivia – primarily machinery, medical instruments and pharmaceutical products – amounted to CHF 22.8 million.
Swiss direct investments in Bolivia amounted to CHF 74 million at the end of 2018 and Swiss companies in Bolivia employed around 750 people.
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
Researchers from Bolivia can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Under a mandate conferred by SERI, the University of St Gallen is currently coordinating research cooperation initiatives between Switzerland and Latin America.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Swiss development cooperation is tailored to the Bolivian government’s poverty reduction priorities. It is aimed at improving incomes, employment opportunities and the quality of life of marginalised and poor segments of the population in order to promote greater participation in political decision-making processes.
The SDC is above all active in the rural regions of the Bolivian highlands and nearby valleys. Owing to the rapid urbanisation that has taken place in recent decades, the SDC’s activities now focus not only on rural areas but also on the poverty-stricken districts of Bolivia's cities.
Swiss nationals in Bolivia
At the end of 2019, there were 850 Swiss nationals living in Bolivia.
History of bilateral relations
Switzerland opened a consulate general in Bolivia in 1935 and a diplomatic representation in 1962. Switzerland has maintained consular relations with this Andean nation since 1911, and initiated diplomatic relations in 1946.
Since 2013 consular matters relating to Bolivia have been handled by the regional consular centre for the Andes in Lima.
Links
Government of Bolivia, official (es)
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global enterprise
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Leading House for the Latin American Region (HSG)
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
