Bilateral relations Switzerland–Bolivia

Relations between Switzerland and Bolivia are good. Bolivia is a priority country for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

The SDC has been active in Bolivia since 1968. As part of its cooperation strategy it has implemented projects focusing on decentralisation, human rights, climate change mitigation and employment and income opportunities.

Switzerland and Bolivia have entered into agreements on air transport, scientific and technical cooperation and disaster relief.

Treaty database

Government of Bolivia (es)

Economic cooperation

Trade relations between Switzerland and Bolivia are limited in scope. In 2022, Switzerland imported goods worth CHF 7.2 million from Bolivia – mainly agricultural and mining products – and exported mainly pharmaceuticals, machinery, medical devices and watchmaking goods worth CHF 13.4 million.

At the end of 2021, direct investment by Switzerland in Bolivia stood at CHF 64 million and Swiss companies employed about 672 people in the country in 2021.

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise, SGE

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Researchers who are citizens of Bolivia can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Under a mandate conferred by SERI, the University of St Gallen is currently coordinating research cooperation initiatives between Switzerland and Latin America.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI

Leading House for the Latin American Region (HSG)

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Swiss development cooperation is based on the priorities set by the Bolivian government for reducing poverty. The measures are intended to increase incomes, job opportunities and quality of life for poor and marginalised people and involve them more in the political process.

The SDC mainly works in the rural areas of the Bolivian Altiplano and surrounding valleys. Rapid urbanisation in recent decades has also necessitated interventions in impoverished urban areas.

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Swiss nationals in Bolivia

At the end of 2022 there were 854 Swiss nationals living in Bolivia.

History of bilateral relations

Switzerland opened an honorary consulate in Bolivia in 1935 and an embassy in 1962. It has had consular relations with Bolivia since 1911 and diplomatic relations since 1946.

The Andean Regional Consular Centre in Lima has been dealing with consular matters relating to Bolivia since 2013.

Bolivia, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)

Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis

Last update 09.06.2023

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