Includes bibliographical references.

Introduction: increasing formality and productivity of Bolivian firms -- The informal sector in Bolivia today -- The productivity of micro and small firms -- Informality and profitability in micro and small firms -- Policy recommendations.

This book presents qualitative and quantitative analyses on Bolivia's informal sector, the reasons why firms are informal, and the impact of normalization on their profitability. The analysis finds that the impact of tax registration on profitability depends on firm size and the ability to issue tax receipts, and presents a set of prioritized policy implications for policy makers. In the short term, the first priority should be to increase the benefits of formalization through training, access to credit and markets, and business support. The second is to increase information on how to formalize and its benefits. In the medium term, the priority is to simplify formalization, regulatory and taxation procedures and reduce their costs. Increasing even-handed enforcement of taxation and regulation is also important but not a priority for micro and small firms. Measures to boost the productivity of micro and small firms in general will both help overall economic growth, employment, and, formalization.--Publisher's description.

Also available online.

Description based on print version record.