Energy transition via renewables is the central topic to foster a commercial relationship between the United Kingdom and Bolivia. The focus must be on solar energy, science and technology…
ISSUE 105 | 2022
Raul Serrano
During the visit of the Minister of Foreign Trade from the United Kingdom, Mike Freer, to Bolivia, the UK´s representative assured that his country is interested in being an ally of Bolivia in several areas related to the country’s economic agenda, highlighting Energy Transition, as one of the most important to be developed, taking advantage of the UK´s leadership in renewable energies, and its participation in Agropecruz, where UKSOL/BOLPEGAS distinguished itself as a company dedicated to market British-made solar panels in Bolivia.
Freer accomplished a series of activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and La Paz, aimed to strengthening economic, commercial, science and technology ties between both countries, particularly in the areas of sustainable agriculture and livestock. He arrived with several members of his team, including the Trade Commissioner for Latin America, Jonathan Knott.
Mike Freer arrived first to Santa Cruz, where he inaugurated the British pavilion of the United Kingdom at Agropecruz 2022. In that event, five different companies participated offering services and products that will be helping Bolivian agribusiness move towards a more technological, efficient and sustainable future.
SUSTAINABLE FINANCES
During his visit, the minister expressed the intention of the United Kingdom to be an ally of Bolivia on areas related to energy transition; Academic Development, highlighting the fact that four, out of ten best universities in the world are located in the United Kingdom. The Cambridge Business Association, a company derived from the University of Cambridge focused on training for the business sector, participated in the fair as well, stating that important ties are also being developed in Bolivia with the universities of Warwick, Cambridge, Manchester and Oxford.
Another area where the United Kingdom is interested in establishing trade links with Bolivia is finance, the insurance industry, and professional services, ensuring that “the United Kingdom offers the best in the world in financial services.” At the same time, the British insurance company Challenge Group, which will begin operations in Bolivia in the following months, with a special focus on the agricultural sector, was present at Agropecuz as well.
“…help to develop the sustainable finance market as a way to finance green projects”
The transport and machinery sector as part of their objectives towards a world with zero carbon emissions, is also a remarkable topic for the alliances, that are sought to be established in Bolivia, as a result, part of the British pavilion exhibition in Agropecruz, included top brands such as JCB, represented by SVF Gerona, a local Bolivian company. JCB is an innovation leader in agricultural, construction and mining machinery, with great experience in innovating power solutions.
Another of the areas of interest expressed by the British mission was technological development, “because the United Kingdom is the third country in the world with the highest investments in technology. A good example of this, is the company Vertinetik, which is in Bolivia offering drones solutions for precision agriculture, and will begin a pilot project to test its technological services with Bolivian farmers”, moreover, the UK has earmarked $2.7 billion in funding to support Bolivian projects in these areas.
The UK Foreign Trade Minister signed an agreement in La Paz with the National Chamber of Commerce to help developing a sustainable finance market as part of financing green projects in the country. An important step to create synergies towards a more sustainable future, he said.
“JCB is a leader in innovation for agricultural, construction and mining machinery, with a great experience in innovating towards electrical solutions”
