UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Humayun KABIR
chancery: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 342-8372 through 8376
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador David N. MERRILL
embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka
mailing address: G.P.O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000; Dhaka 1212
telephone: [880] (2) 884700 through 884722
FAX: [880] (2) 883-744

Flag: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of
center; green is the traditional color of Islam

Economy
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Economic overview: Despite sustained domestic and international
efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh
remains one of the world's poorest, most densely populated, and
least developed nations. Annual GDP growth has averaged over 4% in
recent years from a low base. Its economy is overwhelmingly
agricultural, with the cultivation of rice the single most important
activity in the economy. Major impediments to growth include
frequent cyclones and floods, the inefficiency of state-owned
enterprises, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed
by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas),
inadequate power supplies, and, most recently, political
disturbances. In 1995, progress on Bangladesh's development agenda
has been slowed by frequent political unrest before and after
national elections in early 1996. Opposition parties have challenged
the government's authority by resigning from Parliament and
sponsoring numerous countrywide strikes that have crippled
transport, hindered business activity, and threatened to slow
economic growth in 1996.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $144.5 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4.6% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,130 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 50.1 million
by occupation: agriculture 65%, services 21%, industry and mining
14% (1989)
note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman (1991)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $2.8 billion
expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8
billion (FY92/93)