, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos LLERAS de la Fuente
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and
Washington, DC
consulate(s): Atlanta and Tampa

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Myles R. R. FRECHETTE
embassy: Calle 38, No. 8-61, Bogota
mailing address: Apartado Aereo 3831, Bogota; APO AA 34038
telephone: [57] (1) 320-1300
FAX: [57] (1) 288-5687
consulate(s): Barranquilla

Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and
red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the
Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

@Colombia:Economy

Overview: Colombia's economy has grown steadily since 1991, when the
government implemented sweeping economic reform measures. President
SAMPER, who took office in August 1994, has pledged to maintain those
reforms while expanding government assistance for poor Colombians, who
continue to make up about 40% of the population. In an effort to bring
down inflation, SAMPER has arranged a "social pact" with business and
labor to curtail price hikes and trim inflation to 18%. The rapid
development of oil, coal, and other nontraditional industries, along
with copious inflows of capital and strengthening of prices for
coffee, have helped keep growth at 5%-6%. Development of the massive
Cusiana oilfield provides the means to sustain this level over the
next several years. Exporters say, however, that their sales have been
hampered by the appreciation of the Colombian peso, and farmers have
sought government help in adjusting to greater foreign competition.
Moreover, increased foreign investment and even greater domestic
growth have been hindered by an inadequate energy and transportation
infrastructure and by violence stemming from drug trafficking and
persistent rural insurgency.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $172.4 billion (1994
est.)

National product real growth rate: 5.7% (1994 est.)

National product per capita: $4,850 (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22.6% (1994 est.)

Unemployment rate: 7.9% (1994 est.)

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