Tourism can generate more revenue than lithium | Turismo puede generar más ingresos que el litio

By El Diario:

  • The treatment of contracts with foreign companies was suspended by the Chamber of Deputies while the socialization process continues.
  • Head of State asks the people of Potosí to stay informed on the issue to make “the best decisions.”
Tourism in the Salar de Uyuni, a great option for the region and the country to generate foreign currency.

A sustained increase in tourism activity in the Salar de Uyuni can be more productive and boost economic movement by generating higher revenues than lithium extraction.

The director of Probioma, Miguel Crespo, stated that tourism in Uyuni alone could bring over $2.2 billion annually into the country, creating jobs, foreign currency inflows, and services.

“Bolivia’s history is one of the plundering of our natural resources, condemning us to be an extractivist country…! And now it’s lithium’s turn?” he lamented, pointing out that Bolivia is among the most underdeveloped countries on the planet.

He argued that if lithium is extracted in Chile, Argentina, Australia, and other countries, it would be cheaper to buy electric vehicles than to produce batteries using obsolete and polluting technologies.

In this context, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Omar Yujra, assured that lithium contracts would not be considered as long as the socialization process continues.

“As the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies, we have decided not to address these two draft laws as long as socialization continues. For this reason, we also urge the people of Potosí and Bolivia to participate in these discussions so that we have a full understanding of what these contracts entail,” Yujra stated.

Meanwhile, President Luis Arce Catacora warned yesterday that “the time for lithium could slip through our hands” due to technological advancements. He urged Bolivians, especially those in Potosí, to stay informed to make the best decisions, as concerns grow over the signing of lithium industrialization contracts with Chinese and Russian companies.

“We want to move forward properly because we face risks, risks related to technological advancements. The time for lithium could slip through our hands. Beware that tomorrow hydrogen or sodium batteries emerge and replace lithium as a key source of electricity,” the Head of State cautioned.

Leave a comment