Bolivia and Paraguay agreed to carry out a pilot test for border controls on international travelers in buses and tourist vehicles with extended hours to 24/7, at the Cañada Oruro – Infante Rivarola border crossing, the main one between both countries.
According to the Bolivian National Customs in a statement, this agreement was reached during the II Meeting of the Border Integration Committee Cañada Oruro (Bolivia) – Infante Rivarola (Paraguay), held on July 18 and 19, 2024 in Cañada Oruro and Villamontes, with the participation of the Foreign Ministries and customs, immigration, health and police authorities of both countries.
The Executive President of Customs, Karina Serrudo, reported that the 24/7 pilot test will last 4 months, starting in October 2024 and that the optimal infrastructure and equipment conditions are in place for this purpose, the competent national and local authorities will additionally carry out actions to encourage tourism in the region.
Bolivia and Paraguay share the infrastructure of the Multipurpose Border Enclosure in Bolivian territory Cañada Oruro – Infante Rivarola, inaugurated by Bolivia on April 1, 2023. Since then, this border crossing has experienced constant growth in the flow of trade and passengers, as well as an increase in customs collection.
According to the statement, exports through this point, during this period, include goods such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), urea, potassium chloride, electric accumulators, leather, detergents and serums with antibodies, among others. In imports, goods such as fuels (gasoline and diesel), aluminum containers and caps, monoammonium phosphate, wheat starch, corn starch, wheat flour and others are recurrent.
“Bolivia has implemented since May 15, the extension of 24/7 hours on the borders with Chile, more precisely in Pisiga and Tambo Quemado, without restrictions or additional payments,” the official note states.
During the meeting in Cañada Oruro and Villamontes, the need to strengthen border integration between Bolivia and Paraguay was emphasized by establishing joint, agile and timely procedures for the transit of people, vehicles, means of transport and goods through the border crossing, as well as developing an agenda that responds to the needs of both territories.
According to the statement, "the delegations agreed to hold the Third Meeting of the Border Committee in Paraguay during the first half of 2025, the location of which will be determined by the foreign ministries."
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