An overview of Latin American countries reveals that almost the entire region faces many serious developmental problems such as poverty, inequality and rising unemployment levels. In this context, there have been several attempts to address these vital issues in the region, including the programs established by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. In this context, special attention has been given in support of national efforts and regional economic reform, financial sector restructuring and human development programs through partnerships, loans and non-lending instruments. Although there were significant improvements in this regard, including growth in Mexico and Argentina, which show a steady increase at 5.1 percent and 4.4 percent respectively, Uruguay at 4.9 percent, Chile at a strong 7, 1 percent, and Brazil with slow growth. The following document however limited its discussion to the economic growth of Bolivia, located right in the Latin American continent. (Library of Congress, 1989, World Bank Annual Report 1997). Bolivia - Coming Soon With the official name of the Republic of Bolivia, and Bolivia in short, has its capital in La Paz, which is also home to the federal government. The city of Sucre, however, is the legal capital and seat of the judiciary of the nation. A report on Bolivia's economic indicators reveals that from 1987 statistics, Bolivia's gross domestic product was 4.35 million U.S. dollars or approximately USD 640 per capita. Although the country witnessed its place of growth to 5.5 percent annually in the decade of 1970, the growth rate witnessed a spiraling downward trend until the end of 1987, with unemployment reaching a huge 20 per percent from 6 percent in 1970. This was perhaps caused by a continuous series of recessions and hyperinflation levels in virtually all formal sectors of the economy. (Library of Congress, 1989, World Bank Annual Report 1997). Agriculture Sector in the state of secondary agricultural nation in the entire continent of South America, Bolivia has rich fertile highlands and employs 60 percent of farmers, while another 20 percent are employed in the fertile valleys rich alike throughout Bolivia. The fact that about 23 of the accounts of agricultural GDP, employing 46 percent of the workforce across the nation speaks well of the tremendous value and contribution of agriculture to the economy of the nation. However, exports of agriculture relatively low value of only 15 percent also shows that the country is suffering from primitive farming technology, and little government support to increase the share of agriculture in the export potential of the nation. Although important, it should be noted Bolivia also has an underground economy employs about two-thirds of the entire workforce, drug smuggling, cocaine and other commercial products. Industry A look at the various industries in Bolivia show that mining represents a significant part of the economy, with silver and tin mining as the main products. The mining sector accounted for 4 percent of GDP, 36 percent of exports, which provides 2.5 percent of total government revenue, and using 2 percent of the workforce. Despite playing a minor role, the manufacturing sector brought in 10 percent of GDP from 1987 statistics. The total number of workers in all industries represent 20 percent of the entire workforce. Energy Sector The energy sector has also played a key role, as the accounts of hydrocarbons including natural gas for export potential leader of the 1980 statistics. Bolivia has a power consumption relatively low, with a share of 46 percent for residential uses with commercial, transport with another 31 percent, industry uses 20 per cent and mining at a minimum of 3 percent only . Service Sector The service sector employs 34 percent of the country's workforce, including banking, financial services, transportation, communications and tourism. Although the country is financially strong and stable, the private banking sector has flourished in recent years with assets of over $ 357 million, from 1988 statistics. Imports / Exports Official statistics from 1987 show that the country imported goods worth more than $ 777 million, while the official import figures crossed the mark of one billion dollars, mainly due to the importation of contraband. In terms of export statistics from 1987, these amounted to about U.S. $ 569 million, perhaps the lowest in the decade of 1980. Then, the government abolished all export taxes and introduced the floating exchange rate, with the result that unofficial exports related to the coca-nearly equaled the official figures for 1980, with incomes ranging from 600 to thousands U.S. $ million year. Since 1985 however, the leader in products for export including oil account for 11 percent of GDP in the nation, covering more than 50 percent of government revenue. Natural gas was the main export product duly replaced tin and silver, witnessed a healthy growth of 21 to over 44 percent during 1980 and 1987. (Library of Congress, 1989, World Bank Annual Report 1997). Stock of total external debt of Bolivia payment stood at U.S. $ 4600 million from 1986. This was attributed largely to increased public sector expenditures totaling more than 30 percent of GDP. A report on the deficit showed that since 1987, was 500 million U.S. dollars or 10.5 percent of GDP, which saw a decline of 6 percent in 1988. As the country's gross reserves, which stood at approximately U.S. $ 405 million, net reserves at 181 million U.S. dollars and gold reserves at 300 million U.S. dollars, respectively. Exchange rate on January 1, 1987, in weights of the official currency of Bolivia was replaced by Bolivia, and when they went public with the U.S. dollar, the currency became witness to something stable B2.3 equivalent to 1 USD from 1988 statistics. The difference between official rates and black market, however, did not exceed 1 percent. (Library of Congress, 1989) The growth and stabilization of the Bolivian economy Having mentioned briefly the main economic indicators of the economy of the South American country of Bolivia, the next part of the paper presents some of the highlights of the growth and stabilization witness in the economy of Bolivia. A report shows that macroeconomic stabilization was in 1985 that the real effects of stabilization of the Bolivian economy began to emerge. This is due largely to the policies of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, in particular the right of establishment "agreement aimed at ending hyperinflation levels. Some major achievements were based on the strong emphasis on macroeconomic policies, together with a set of structural reforms, and an emphasis on greater political stability. With considerable profit, the IMF suspended all the policies left a positive effect in the next decade, and the Bolivian economy witnessed a relative stabilization in the light of these changes. Since 1985, inflation was 23 percent, which was brought significantly to 18 percent in 1990, a figure that continued until the level reached single-digit figures in 1995, and somehow continues to date. In fact one of the most effective, the final levels of hyperinflation was something dramatic for the Bolivian economy as a whole. It can be seen that while other countries are usually based on an exchange rate anchor, the key to a successful recovery from Bolivia is based on fiscal correction measures, including measures aimed at eliminating the practice of inflationary financing of budget the nation's central bank. With strict control measures on the wage bill of public sector deficit also fell a huge 30 percent of GDP in 1984 to around 4 percent in 1986, a policy that continued throughout the next decade to maintain the level deficit through concessional external financing sources. The unification and floating of the exchange rate was another factor that provided a strong impetus for the stabilization of the Bolivian economy as to make substantial improvements in the competitive situation of the nation. (Library of Congress, 1989, World Bank Annual Report 1997). The growth rate of the economy has been averaging more than 4 percent during 1990 and 1997, a figure that some recruited from 10 percent in the first half of the decade of 1980. External debt was reduced from a maximum of 100 percent of GDP to 50 percent decline. With the decrease of gross revenues to their lowest level in 1985, foreign direct investment in the areas of exports and infrastructure led the proceeds as an impetus to keep the current account deficit. The introduction of structural reforms for growth and stabilization Start Another set of policies including structural reforms not only starts the growth and stabilization of the Bolivian economy as a whole, which also served to reduce state interference in the economy wide had been increasing over the period between 1952 and 1985. Strengthen social support was also another area that has received a boost with the introduction of different structural reforms. One change to promote structural reforms was to invite foreign direct investment in developing areas of energy, such as hydrocarbons, mining, and investment so that laws were made. The passage of these laws, which precipitated large foreign direct investment in the said areas of the economy. A notable development was the pipeline about Brazil, which has become the largest generator of Bolivia's exports and a source of growth in the country in recent years. Another area that has helped the country achieve significant levels of growth and stabilization is the step of transferring and transforming the public sector companies private. This move has helped reduce the public finance surprising that otherwise spent on operations and the functioning of many public sector enterprises. It has also given the government the funds needed to address a number of social welfare programs such as aid to the poor and provide basic health services. Allowing private companies to carry out installation business in the country has also opened opportunities for private investment and growth, in turn bring prosperity through the breadth of the economy. A structural reform is planned for greater private sector participation is the elimination of price controls and systematic trade liberalization, making Bolivia one of the most open trade regimes in the entire South American continent. These reforms have also provided a facility of an independent central bank, and allow state banks to purchase by the private sector. The area of social services has also improved the structural reforms adopted by the government. These include reducing child mortality by over 50 percent, improving quality and access to primary education, and strengthening old age security for Bolivians through the introduction of pension reforms. The role and importance of political stability is also equally important in the pattern of gradual growth and stabilization of the Bolivian economy. It can be seen that between the years 1964 to 1985, there were about 30 governments, and a greater number of inexpensive equipment, which resulted in the deterioration of economic conditions, rather than be of any help. However, with the return of democracy, and the regular and peaceful changes in government, the nation has followed a consistent path of growth and development in virtually all sectors of the economy. In addition, reduction and control of coca production has also eliminated a major source of corruption, a dangerous aspect had become a threat to the national government and open political system. Economic Performance Update The paper discusses all the different areas where the Bolivian economy has been given a boost and what were the most important areas of economic development and growth. However, with such promising policies and support of global organizations like the International Monetary Fund to support its programs equally and agendas, the Bolivian economy has once again taken the action and has started to move backwards. The following are some of the reasons for this investment, which has been most evident in the periods after 1998. Taking a snapshot of income per capita in Bolivia, we can see that from the fiscal year ended 2002, real GDP per capita was approximately U.S. $ 900. Although this figure is certainly higher compared to 1987 levels, when it was only U.S. $ 640, remains one of the lowest in the entire South American continent. Equally striking are the levels of unemployment, which have risen to 8.5 percent during the past four years, as the output more than half the entire workforce underemployed. (The figures are taken from the fiscal year ended 2002). The fall in real per capita GDP and increasing unemployment rates is said to be attributed to the sharp fall in domestic savings and investment areas of the economy, showing a fall of up to 33 percent. Such has been the weak performance of the economy private savings were shown to have taken a negative turn over a sharp drop in capital account balance of payments. The weak performance of the Bolivian economy also spread to other areas of the economy, including exports. The export share of the nation has not matched with the set policies of laxity and open trade regime that had opened the doors to foreign direct investment and relaxed laws for private companies in various sectors of the economy as mining, petroleum, and manufacturing. This has also been reiterated in the preceding paragraphs. Instead, there is an increased reliance on regional markets, such as neighboring Brazil, with the result that the share of Bolivia in the markets of industrialized countries has witnessed a gradual decline. The impact of slowing growth and rising financial pressures, has directly affected the social sector programs, and virtually eliminated all previous efforts to increase social spending. Therefore, efforts in the first part of the 1990's have not only suffered a negative growth of these and patterns of development. It has been estimated that over two thirds of the Bolivian population is all now living below the poverty line, with more than 33 percent live in extreme poverty. Brunt of these patterns of negative growth in the economy has fallen on indigenous peoples and the majority of women living in rural areas of the country. May act as an important factor, an increase in the weak internal efficiency, particularly since 1998 has played a key role in the reversal of economic growth in Bolivia. To complicate matters further were factors such as macroeconomic vulnerabilities leave to re-emerge, and the setbacks suffered by an incomplete set of the reform agenda. The result was not surprising, since the entire Bolivian economy was left to cope with the number of internal and external shocks. Factors included in these vulnerabilities were the deterioration of the public financing system, the lack of braking and control public spending, lack of restricting the fiscal deficit continued to rise, all combine to increase public sector debt finance more than 60 percent of GDP since 2002. This was despite the introduction of relief measures established by the International Monetary Fund, including his famous "highly indebted poor countries" program of debt relief. Then there was a greater confidence than in the 'crawling peg exchange rate "which served as a nominal anchor for the system. This movement is not allowed to Bolivia from any possible room for maneuver when faced with an external shock, especially in times of regional currencies realign their values. To summarize some of the measures to be taken to the Bolivian government, if sincere intention to bring the nation back on the road to prosperity, growth and development should be noted that the key areas include the restoration of produced macroeconomic stability through fiscal stabilization. Secondly, there must be a greater need to reduce macroeconomic vulnerability, which can be achieved by strengthening corporate and banking sectors of the economy. Third, the Bolivian government and the private sector should join hands and seek strategies for policy reforms in a real "institutional environment, accompanied by increased spending on social sector reforms. The use of natural resources efficiently must also be taken into account, sustainable growth and medium term strategies and long-term growth as the primary objective of every government in power in La Paz.
