CTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador U THAUNG
chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-9044, 9045
consulate(s) general: New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Marilyn A.
MEYERS
embassy: 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521)
mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546
telephone: [95] (1) 82055, 82182 (operator assistance required)
FAX: [95] (1) 80409

Flag: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
bearing, all in white, 14 five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel
containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 14
administrative divisions

Economy
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Economic overview: Burma has a mixed economy with about 75%
private activity, mainly in agriculture, light industry, and
transport, and with about 25% state-controlled activity, mainly in
energy, heavy industry, and foreign trade. Government policy in the
last seven years, 1989-95, has aimed at revitalizing the economy
after three decades of tight central planning. Thus, private
activity has markedly increased; foreign investment has been
encouraged, so far with moderate success; and efforts continue to
increase the efficiency of state enterprises. Published estimates of
Burma's foreign trade are greatly understated because of the volume
of black market trade. A major ongoing problem is the failure to
achieve monetary and fiscal stability. Although Burma remains a poor
Asian country, its rich resources furnish the potential for
substantial long-term increases in income, exports, and living
standards.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $47 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 6.8% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,000 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 60%
industry: 10%
services: 30% (1995 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 38% (1994 est.)

Labor force: 16.007 million (1992)
by occupation: agriculture 65.2%, industry 14.3%, trade 10.1%,
government 6.3%, other 4.1% (FY88/89 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $5.3 billion
expenditures: $10 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)

Industries: agricultural processing; textiles and footwear; wood
and wood products; petroleum refining; copper, tin, tungsten, iron;
construction materials; pha