lidarity and Progress
(UNSP), Bruno AMOUSSOU; Alliance Chameleon; Alliance for Democracy
and Progress (ADP), Adekpedjon AKINDES; Alliance for Social
Democracy (ASD), Robert DOSSOU; Assembly of Liberal Democrats for
National Reconstruction (RDL), Severin ADJOVI; Communist Party of
Benin, Pascal FATONDJI, First Secretary; Our Common Cause (NCC),
Albert TEVOEDJRE; Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP); The
Renaissance Party, Nicephore SOGLO

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA,
ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM,
OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lucien Edgar TONOUKOUIN
chancery: 2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656, 6657, 6658
FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador John M. YATES
embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou
mailing address: B. P. 2012, Cotonou
telephone: [229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92
FAX: [229] 30-14-39, 30-19-74

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a
vertical green band on the hoist side

Economy
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Economic overview: The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and
dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and
regional trade. Growth in real output, which had averaged a sound 4%
in 1990-94, rose to 6% in 1995. Rapid population growth, now 3.3%
per year, offset much of this growth in output. Inflation jumped to
55% in 1994 (compared to 3% in 1993) following the 50% currency
devaluation in January 1994, but subsided gradually in 1995.
Commercial and transport activities, which make up 37% of GDP, are
extremely vulnerable to developments in Nigeria as evidenced by
decreased reexport trade in 1994 due to a severe contraction in
Nigerian demand. Support by the Paris Club and official bilateral
creditors has eased the external debt situation in recent years. The
government, still burdened with money-losing state enterprises and a
bloated civil service, has been gradually implementing a World Bank
supported structural adjustment program since 1991.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.6 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)

GDP per