An agreement to not lose friendship

By: Luis Fernando Romero Torrejón / President. Departmental College of Economists of Tarija

Yesterday, an agreement was signed between the national government and the country’s private sector, without the presence of important representatives such as the CAO. The agreement focused on establishing more medium- and long-term measures in the areas of investment, foreign trade, hydrocarbons, and others, where the basis and efficiency of these will depend on external credits. Structural policies, at least fiscal ones, were conspicuous by their absence.

“More straw than wheat” would be a good definition of this agreement, since there were many expectations, which were not met by the signatory sectors and even less by the population in general. These measures are not a clear and timely response to the demands of our economy in terms of fuel shortages, dollar shortages and a noticeable loss of the purchasing power of our currency.

I agree with what the president of the Bolivian business community said: “the worst thing would have been to do nothing,” because we almost did that. This agreement gives the impression of not enough, where both sectors looked after each other and looked after their interests, but not so for the common citizen, which was to be expected. Now, even the private sector will have to exert pressure (management) so that the Assembly approves external credits, which will be the flow of foreign currency that they so badly need.

We can talk a lot about this subject, and of course have different views, but one thing that is certain is that when we go to the market or the fair to buy our much-needed products, the vendors will not pay attention to faces or positions. If you are a ruler or a governed, a businessman or a factory worker, they will still sell you the same price, one that is increasing week by week, because up until now the pertinent actions have not been taken. The government was given oxygen and the businessmen were given a pat on the back.

On the positive side, there was dialogue and an agreement between the public and private sectors. On the negative side, the population did not find the expected solutions, so they will have to continue tightening their belts.