ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTAS
chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860, 2639
FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466
consulate(s) general: New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr.
embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600
mailing address: APO AE 09723
telephone: [370] (2) 223-031
FAX: [370] (2) 222-779

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

@Lithuania:Economy

Overview: Since independence in September 1991, Lithuania has made
steady progress in developing a market economy. Almost 50% of state
property has been privatized and trade is diversifying with a gradual
shift away from the former Soviet Union to Western markets. In
addition, the Lithuanian government has adhered to a disciplined
budgetary and financial policy which has brought inflation down from a
monthly average of around 14% in first half 1993 to an average of 3.1%
in 1994. Nevertheless, the process has been painful with industrial
output in 1993 less than half the 1991 level. The economy appeared to
have bottomed out in 1994, and Vilnius's policies have laid the
groundwork for vigorous recovery over the next few years. Recovery
will build on Lithuanian's strategic location with its ice-free port
at Klaipeda and its rail and highway hub in Vilnius connecting it with
Eastern Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, and on its agriculture
potential, highly skilled labor force, and diversified industrial
sector. Lacking important natural resources, it will remain dependent
on imports of fuels and raw materials.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $13.5 billion (1994
estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992)

National product real growth rate: -0.5% (1994 est.)

National product per capita: $3,500 (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (monthly average 1994)

Unemployment rate: 4.5% (January 1995)

Budget:
revenues: $258.5 million
expenditures: $270.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992 est.)

Exports: $2.2 billion (1994)
commodities: electronics 18%, petroleum products 5%, food 10%,
che