Bolivia's Social Spending Has Doubled Under Morales in 11 Years

The Bolivian government doubled investment in social and productive projects in 11 years, the director of the National Fund for Social and Productive Investment, Vladimir Sánchez said.

RELATED: 
Morales to Trump: We Want Respect, Not Submission or Blackmail

Speaking to Prensa Latina, Sanchez highlighted the US$400 billion MiAgua program and the MiRiego investment worth US$170 million, as examples of the projects headed up under the administration of President Evo Morales.

According to the fund director, the investments made during the Morales' administration, especially in the areas of basic sanitation, agriculture, education, water resources, transportation and health have sought to break the structural causes of poverty and have had significant social and economic impact.

Since coming to office in 2006, Morales' left-wing government has used income from nationalized gas resources to invest heavily in numerous areas including employment, housing, culture, justice, environmental protection and energy projects.

In 2016 alone, 316 projects for drinking water, irrigation systems, infrastructure, health, transportation and river defense as well as sewage and sanitation systems were completed.

RELATED: 
Bolivia's Evo Morales Says Economy Will Keep Growing in 2017

Sanchez added that the reconstruction of social and productive infrastructure, education, sports and road maintenance have also been priorities for the Morales government.

The Andean nation, historically one of Latin America's poorest, has seen major social development gains while also benefitting from sustained economic growth.