842-1359
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Arlene RENDER
embassy:
Pipeline Road (Kairaba Avenue), Fajara, Banjul
mailing address:
P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul
telephone:
[220] 92856 or 92858, 91970, 91971
FAX:
(220) 92475
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green

*The Gambia, Economy

Overview:
The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a
limited agricultural base. It is one of the world's poorest countries with a
per capita income of about $325. About 75% of the population is engaged in
crop production and livestock raising, which contribute 30% to GDP.
Small-scale manufacturing activity - processing peanuts, fish, and hides -
accounts for less than 10% of GDP. Tourism is a growing industry. The Gambia
imports one-third of its food, all fuel, and most manufactured goods.
Exports are concentrated on peanut products (about 75% of total value).
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $292 million (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3% (1991)
National product per capita:
$325 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $94 million; expenditures $80 million, including capital
expenditures of $25 million (FY91 est.)
Exports:
$133 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.)
commodities:
peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels
partners:
Japan 60%, Europe 29%, Africa 5%, US 1%, other 5% (1989)
Imports:
$174 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and transport
equipment
partners:
Europe 57%, Asia 25%, USSR and Eastern Europe 9%, US 6%, other 3% (1989)
External debt:
$336 million (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 6.7%; accounts for 5.8% of GDP (FY90)
Electricity:
30,000 kW capacity; 65 million kWh produced, 75 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
peanut processing, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly,
woodworking, metalworking, clothing
Agriculture:
accounts for 30% of GDP and employs about 75% of the population; imports
one-third of food requirements; major export crop is peanuts; other
principal crops - millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava, palm kernels;
livestock - cattle, sheep, goats; forestry and fishing resources not fully
exploited
Economic aid: