encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are
traditional symbols of Islam

@Tunisia, Economy

Overview:
Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining,
energy, tourism and manufacturing sectors. The economy grew rapidly in
the mid-1980s, GDP growth averaging 5.4% in 1983-85. Following a
foreign exchange crisis caused by a sharp drop in agricultural output
and tourism, combined with the oil price collapse in 1986, Tunisia
inaugurated an IMF-sponsored economic rehabilitation scheme.
Subsequent government structural reforms have helped liberalize and
open the economy, and GDP growth has been positive since the start of
the program. A sharp rebound in tourism from the downturn caused by
the Gulf war and strong agricultural performance boosted real GDP
growth to more than 8% in 1992; growth fell back to 2.6% in 1993.
Further privatization and further improvements in government
administrative efficiency are among the challenges for the future.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $34.3 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
2.6% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$4,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
16.2% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$4.3 billion
expenditures:
$5.5 billion, including capital expenditures to $NA (1993 est.)
Exports:
$4.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
hydrocarbons, agricultural products, phosphates and chemicals
partners:
EC countries 75%, Middle East 10%, Algeria 2%, India 2%, US 1%
Imports:
$6.4 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
industrial goods and equipment 57%, hydrocarbons 13%, food 12%,
consumer goods
partners:
EC countries 70%, US 5%, Middle East 2%, Japan 2%, Switzerland 1%,
Algeria 1%
External debt:
$7.7 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 5% (1989); accounts for about 25% of GDP, including
petroleum
Electricity:
capacity:
1,545,000 kW
production:
5,096 kWh
consumption per capita:
600 kWh (1992)
Industries:
petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism,
textiles, footwear, food, beverages
Agriculture:
accounts for 16% of GDP and one-third of labor force; output subject
to severe fluctuations because of frequent droughts; export crops -
olives, dates, oranges, almonds; other products - grain, sugar beets,
wine grapes,