ICFTU,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM,
ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jaime FORD Boyd (to be replaced by Ambassador Ricardo
Alberto ARIAS on 1 September 1994)
chancery:
2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 483-1407
consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San
Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa,
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant)
embassy:
Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5
mailing address:
American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945; APO AA 34002
telephone:
(507) 27-1777
FAX:
(507) 27-1964
Flag:
divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white
(hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain
red, the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a
red five-pointed star in the center

@Panama, Economy

Overview:
GDP expanded by roughly 5.9% in 1993, following growth of 8% in 1992;
banking and financial services led the way in 1993. The economy thus
continues to recover from the crisis that preceded the ouster of
Manuel NORIEGA, even though the government's structural adjustment
program has been hampered by a lack of popular support and a passive
administration. Public investment has been limited as the
administration has kept the fiscal deficit below 2% of GDP.
Unemployment and economic reform are the two major issues the new
government must face in 1994-95.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $11.6 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
5.9% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$4,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12.5% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$1.8 billion
expenditures:
$1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $200 million (1992
est.)
Exports:
$545 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
bananas 43%, shrimp 11%, sugar 4%, clothing 5%, coffee 2%
partners:
US 38%, EC, Central America and Caribbean
Imports:
$2.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
capital goods 21%, crude oil 11%, foodstuffs 9%, consumer goods,
chemicals
partners:
US 35%, EC, Central America and Caribbean,