The Bolivian government imposed payment for fuel supplies with American dollars and not with Bolivians in a scenario with little access to foreign currency. ALTA and ALA Bolivia warn that the measure endangers the country’s economy, which largely depends on tourism and air transport for the supply of essential goods
The refusal by the authorities in Bolivia to respond to the request for dialogue with the national and international airline industry represents an imminent problem given the impossibility of operators in the country to access US dollars in the local banking system to pay for the supply. of fuel.
The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) together with the Bolivian Airlines Association issued a statement in which they warned about the recent measure that the government of that country chose for the aeronautical sector. The Bolivian authorities imposed payment for fuel supplies with American dollars and not with Bolivians – the local currency with which air tickets and therefore the income of operators in the country are sold.
«This measure, in a context of limited access to foreign currency, puts at risk the possibility of acquiring fuel and, as a result, the provision of air services. It is imperative that the Bolivian government assumes responsibility in this situation and takes immediate measures to facilitate access to foreign currency or allow payment in Bolivians,” the statement stated.
They maintain that the lack of action by the government not only threatens the continuity of air services, but also endangers the country’s economy, which relies heavily on tourism and air transport for the supply of goods essential as well as the import and export of merchandise to markets traditionally loyal to Bolivian production.
Currently, more than 70% of tourists arrive in the country by air and they contribute about 5% of the national GDP and more than 5% of direct and indirect jobs. In addition, commonly used products, such as essential medicines, vaccines, smartphones, diagnostic reagents and turbo parts, arrive by air into the country.
«We hope that the government urgently addresses this request and dialogues with the industry to implement immediate and viable solutions to guarantee the uninterrupted provision of an essential service that allows the mobility of the population, supports thousands of jobs and ensures the supply of inputs for the population,” was indicated in the statement from ALTA and ALA Bolivia.
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