CAF president receives highest Bolivian decoration

The president of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), Enrique García, was awarded the Condor of the Andes, Grand Cross Class, by the Bolivian government. The decoration, which is the country’s highest awarded for outstanding personalities, was presented by President Jorge Quiroga.

The Bolivian president praised García’s personality and his contribution to the development of Bolivia from the many posts he has held in the Bolivian public service and international organizations. The ceremony in the Palace of Government was attended by ministers of state, diplomatic corps, representatives from the business and banking sectors and personalities from the political, social and economic sectors.

"Enrique García is a Bolivian who, from wherever he is, helps his country to build roads, develop job programs, stimulate private investment. Not only is he a Bolivian who helps the country from outside, his work always creates a good impression of Bolivians outside the country,” President Quiroga said. Enrique García is a distinguished citizen who all Bolivians are proud of," which fully justifies this honor.

On García’s work as a public servant, the Bolivian president called him "his best teacher" in the public service. The time when he was working at his side was a period of learning in areas such as application of economic policy; procedures and negotiations for debt reduction and efforts to ensure that Bolivia plays a full part in South American integration, he added. Enrique García was Bolivian minister of Planning and Coordination and head of the Economic and Social Cabinet from 1989 to 1991. In the 1970s he was vice minister of Planning and Coordination and member of the Board of the Central Bank.

President Quiroga recalled that the CAF was the most symbolic institution of Andean integration when García took over in 1991. Since then, the Corporation has become an exemplary institute because of its financial strength, excellent risk ratings, wide range of financial products, aspects that have transcended the Andean area and are now recognized by the international financial community.

In moving reply, García expressed his gratitude for the honor. He said it was one more stimulus to continue working to contribute more to the development of Bolivia. He called on the Bolivian political class to strengthen democratic continuity and above all to ensure governance for the next administration. "Bolivia has been an example of self-management with governance and democracy. I believe the country is going to give an example of this again," he said after expressing his confidence that political leaders will put the national interest first.