AT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM
(observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
Somalian Embassy ceased operations on 8 May 1991
US diplomatic representation:
the US Embassy in Mogadishu was evacuated and closed indefinitely in
January 1991; United States Liaison Office (USLO) opened in December
1992
Flag:
light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; design
based on the flag of the UN (Italian Somaliland was a UN trust
territory)

@Somalia, Economy

Overview:
One of the world's poorest and least developed countries, Somalia has
few resources. Moreover, much of the economy has been devastated by
the civil war. Agriculture is the most important sector, with
livestock accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export
earnings. Nomads and seminomads who are dependent upon livestock for
their livelihoods make up more than half of the population. Crop
production generates only 10% of GDP and employs about 20% of the work
force. The main export crop is bananas; sugar, sorghum, and corn are
grown for the domestic market. The small industrial sector is based on
the processing of agricultural products and accounts for less than 10%
of GDP. Greatly increased political turmoil in 1991-93 has resulted in
a substantial drop in output, with widespread famine.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $3.4 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
210% (1989)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
$58 million (1990 est.)
commodities:
bananas, live animals, fish, hides
partners:
Saudi Arabia, Italy, FRG (1986)
Imports:
$249 million (1990 est.)
commodities:
petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials
partners:
US 13%, Italy, FRG, Kenya, UK, Saudi Arabia (1986)
External debt:
$1.9 billion (1989)
Industrial production:
growth rate 0% (1990); accounts for 4% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
former 75,000 kW is almost completely shut down by the destruction of
the civil war; UN, relief organizations, and foreign military units in
Somalia use their own portable power systems
production:
NA
consumption per capita:
NA
Industries:
a few small industries,