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Global Trade Facilitation Programme concluded in Bolivia
By PPO Abogados
On 30 November 2023, the Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) officially concluded its comprehensive intervention in Bolivia, which commenced in September 2019.
For four years, the World Customs Organization (WCO) provided tailored technical assistance to strengthen the organizational and technical capacities of the Bolivian Customs Administration, empowering them to lead, plan, and successfully implement sustainable and transparent customs reforms.
The GTFP intervention had a significant impact on the Bolivian Customs Administration performance in trade facilitation. This impact was evidenced by a 7.7% improvement in trade facilitation indicators and enhancement in compliance with the provisions of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement, particularly concerning articles 3, 7.4, and 7.6.
Furthermore, the Bolivian Customs Administration engagement with the private sector emerged as a flagship initiative to simplify and harmonize trade procedures. The number of Authorized Economic Operators tripled over the past four years. Bottlenecks were identified to address challenges in facilitating trade operations in cooperation with other governmental agencies.
The Global Trade Facilitation Programme is the first joint initiative between the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland and the WCO. This is a 4-year comprehensive programme (2018-2022) which overall objective is to contribute to fostering and facilitating international trade of selected beneficiary countries, in particular Customs Administrations, through the implementation and application of international standards and best practices for the importation, exportation and transit of commercial goods.
PPO Indacochea
PPO Indacochea is Bolivia’s leading full-service law firm, formed through the strategic merger of PPO Abogados and Indacochea & Asociados—two of the most prominent and respected legal institutions in the country. With the largest team of lawyers and the broadest geographic coverage in the market, we are uniquely positioned to deliver legal solutions that are innovative, multidisciplinary, and business-oriented.
Our approach is simple and effective: we provide solutions, not just opinions. We work closely with our clients to understand their businesses and deliver strategic advice tailored to their most complex challenges. We channel transformative foreign investment into Bolivia, advise on high-stakes disputes before local and international tribunals, and offer end-to-end legal services that bridge the gap between law and business.
With a team of 85 lawyers and over 180 professionals led by 14 partners, we operate across six offices in five cities nationwide. Our professionals include top-tier talent—most trained or specialized abroad—with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility.
At PPO Indacochea we redefine legal services to anticipate and exceed the demands of a fast-evolving business environment. We are proud to be consistently recognized by the most prestigious international legal directories, including Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, IFLR1000, Leaders League, Latin Lawyer, LACCA, and others, as Bolivia’s leading law firm. PPO Indacochea: Where law meets strategy, and local depth meets global vision.