IPE; Botswana
Independence Party (BIP), Motsamai MPHO
Suffrage:
universal at age 21
Elections:
National Assembly:
last held 7 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994); results - percent
of vote by party NA; seats - (38 total, 34 elected) BDP 35, BNF 3
President:
last held 7 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994); results - President
Quett K. J. MASIRE was reelected by the National Assembly
Communists:
no known Communist organization; Kenneth KOMA of BNF has long history of
Communist contacts
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Botsweletse Kingsley SEBELE; Chancery at Suite 7M, 3400
International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 244-4990 or
4991
US:
Ambassador Davie PASSAGE; Embassy at Gaborone (mailing address is P. O. Box
90, Gaborone); telephone [267] 353-982; FAX [267] 356-947
Flag:
light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center

:Botswana Economy

Overview:
The economy has historically been based on cattle raising and crops.
Agriculture today provides a livelihood for more than 80% of the population,
but produces only about 50% of food needs. The driving force behind the
rapid economic growth of the 1970s and 1980s has been the mining industry.
This sector, mostly on the strength of diamonds, has gone from generating
25% of GDP in 1980 to over 50% in 1989. No other sector has experienced such
growth, especially not agriculture, which is plagued by erratic rainfall and
poor soils. The unemployment rate remains a problem at 25%. Although diamond
production remained level in FY91, substantial gains in coal output and
manufacturing helped boost the economy
GDP:
purchasing power equivalent - $3.6 billion, per capita $2,800; real growth
rate 6.3% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12.6% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
25% (1989)
Budget:
revenues $1,935 million; expenditures $1,885 million, including capital
expenditures of $658 million (FY93)
Exports:
$1.8 billion (f.o.b. 1990)
commodities:
diamonds 80%, copper and nickel 9%, meat 4%, cattle, animal products
partners:
Switzerland, UK, SACU (Southern African