Weekly Report - 30 April 2009 (WR-09-17)

Bolivia's gas exports fell 27% in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the same period last year, according to worrying figures released this week by the national statistics institute (INE). Having already revised its economic growth forecast for this year down from 6% to 4.6%, the government is under increasing pressure to address the situation, not least from local authorities, concerned about the associated reduction in the direct hydrocarbons tax (IDH).