BRAZIL – Through the Supreme Decree No. 2752, which entered into force on July 1, the government of Bolivia established mandatory and preliminary procedures for the authorization of imports of different products, including wooden furniture. 

Facing this situation, the furniture cluster of Bento Gonçalves, through its association of furniture manufacturers, Sindmóveis, is mobilizing the industry and the Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade (MDIC) against this measure of imports control recently adopted by Bolivia.

According to Sindmóveis, the measure will have a negative impact on the furniture industry in the region, the state and the country. Above all, because it is a discriminatory decree, valid only for non-partner countries of the Andean Community of Nations. For the Association the benefits of the Andean community must be extended to include Mercosur. “The measure will enter into force, bringing difficulties and unpredictability for domestic furniture exporters, precisely at a time of severe Brazilian economic crisis” said Sindmóveis President Henrique Tecchio.

Bolivia is one of the main furniture markets for the states of Bento Goncalves, Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil as a whole. ln 2015, just the furniture cluster of Bento Gonçalves exported more than USD 1.5 million to Bolivia. Data from January to May of this year shows a 30.4% growth over the same period last year positioning Bolivia among the top ten export destinations.