-a day celebrating the anniversary of the founding of the Plurinational State of Bolivia
On January 22, the Plurinational State of Bolivia commemorates its Seventh Anniversary.
This is a day celebrating the anniversary of the founding of the Plurinational State of
Bolivia, instituted by President Evo Morales Ayma through Supreme Decree 0405,
approved on January 20, 2010 in accordance to the New State Political Constitution
adopted in 2009. That new constitution changed the country's official name to
"Plurinational State of Bolivia" in recognition of the multi-ethnic nature of the country and the enhanced position of Bolivia's indigenous
peoples under the new constitution.
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On such important occasion, President Morales
will give a report to the nation on the eleven years
of government on January 22, 2017, in the city of
Santa Cruz, where there is much expectation to
hear the presidential message.
In this regard, the Embassy of the Plurinational
State of Bolivia forwards herewith a document
entitled: “Achievements of the Plurinational State
of Bolivia” (2006 - 2016) in English on the main political, economic and social
achievements of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
The document on: “Achievements of the Plurinational State of Bolivia” (2006 - 2016)
is written from the perspective of the Bolivian Embassy in South Korea. This initiative
intends to spread awareness of the first indigenous Presidency in the history of Latin
America.
Achievements of the Plurinational State of Bolivia
(2006 – 2016)
Political achievements
Strengthening democracy and political stability
In 2005, the indigenous leader Evo Morales and the Movement towards Socialism
(MAS, for its initials in Spanish) contributed to democracy by participating in the
elections until then in a very fragmented society and being elected by the vote of
the majority of the population, which allowed social inclusion and thereby political
stability.
Social inclusion
The inclusion of indigenous peoples in government, in business and in the economy
were ensured.
The empowerment of indigenous cultures
The empowerment of indigenous segments and the rise of self-esteem in a country that had a colonial state and a small dominant class that made
believe in the collective imaginary of the citizens that being indigenous was bad as
and that they were second-class citizens.
New Political Constitution
The Plurinational State of Bolivia and other important concepts such as the plural
economy, community economy, decolonization, Living Well, Mother Earth and other
elements refreshed politics and ideology, imposing a new agenda of indigenous
meaning which actually is the majority of the Bolivian peoples.
Maritime Claim
The treatment of the maritime claim and sovereign right of Bolivia on the Pacific
coast, which the International Justice Court in The Hague is qualified to hear
Bolivia’s case in the territorial dispute with Chile.
Industrialization and modernization
The policy of industrialization or even the attitude of seeking technological improvement
with projects such as the Tupac Katari telecommunication satellite or cable cars
makes a difference.
International Image
The positioning of the international image of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. A new
vision of world order: the Living Well philosophy and the Diplomacy of Peoples, which
promotes relations not only from state to state, bt between and from the organized
civil society.
Economic achievements
Economic stability
Stability can be attributed to various factors of the conjuncture, but indeed, choosing
the adequate economic policies are necessary. In Bolivia inflation runs below 4 percent
a year. Basic consumption goods are plenty in the whole country.
Economic growth
Since 2006, the first indigenous President Evo Morales Ayma has run Bolivia; the
country has experienced a spectacular run of economic growth. The Bolivian economy
at the macroeconomic level has shown an average GDP growth of 5%, mainly by
increasing exports and tax revenues. Compared with other South American economies,
in 2014, Bolivia reached the first place in growth with 5.5%.
In the past 9 years, the size of the Bolivian economy grew more than three times,
from $us. 9,500 million to $us. 33.000. That is why from being previously a low-income country until 2010, from then on Bolivia became a middle income - country.
Budget surplus
Bolivia was running budget surpluses every year between 2006 and 2014. This
allowed it to draw down the public sector’s debt, which fell from 83 percent of GDP in 2003 to just 26 percent in 2014, even
as Bolivia built up its international reserves dramatically, from $us.1.7 billion in 2005 to
$us.15.1 billion in 2014.
Fiscal prudence
Bolivia has shown fiscal prudence, which has made an enormous difference in real
people’s lives. Bolivia’s economic model was creating an entirely new indigenous middle class.
Constant increase in per capita income
Per capita GDP more than tripled from just $1,000 a year to over $3,200 over a
decade. It is expected to exceed $ 5,000 dollars by 2020.
Increase in public investment
The strength of the Bolivian economy in recent years, has allowed substantial increases
in public investment from $us.629 million in 2005 to $us. 4,507 million by 2014.
From 2006, domestic resources constitute the main source of financing for public
investment.
Record of exports levels
As for the external sector, Bolivia has achieved record export levels as a result of
reactivating the productive sectors which comprises hydrocarbons, mining,
manufacturing and agriculture, in that order. Export revenue grew six-fold in the decade after Evo Morales, took power, from $2.2 billion just before of
his election to $12.9 billion.
Social achievements
Social stability
Social exclusion and marginalization were a constant and with President Evo
Morales, the country has achieved social cohesion and stability.
Poverty reduction
Extreme poverty affects just 17 percent of Bolivians now, down from 38 percent
before President Morales took over 11 years ago.
Inequality reduction
The richest 10 percent in Bolivia used to earn 128 times more than the poorest 10
percent; today, they earn 38 times as much.
Improvements in social indicators
New government social programs designed in bonds for the elderly (Bond Dignity);
the mothers (Bonus Juana Azurduy), which made 32 % of Bolivians who were
chronically malnourished in 2003; by 2015, just 18% were and for children (Bonus
Juancito Pinto), which contributed to reduce the dropout rate.
Redistribution of wealth
In addition, government social programs financed with the profits of public
enterprises have allowed the Bolivian population to benefit from conditional
cash transfers.
Bolivia free from illiteracy
Bolivia was declared in December 2013 as a country free of illiteracy, a task that
accompanied, as all other achievements and successes, the promotion of
education for development and social change.