: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD,
ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT
(nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Aminatta DIBBA
chancery: Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1399, 1379, 1425
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Andrew J. WINTER
embassy: Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Banjul
mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul
telephone: [220] 392856, 392858, 391970, 391971
FAX: [220] 392475

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. 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. A
sustained structural adjustment program, including a liberalized trade
policy, had fostered a respectable 4% rate of growth in recent years.
Reexport trade constitutes one-third of economic activity; however,
border closures associated with Senegal's monetary crisis in late 1993
led to a halving of reexport trade, reducing government revenues in
turn. The 50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 has made
Senegalese goods more competitive and apparently prompted a relaxation
of Senegalese controls, paving the way for a comeback in reexports.
But overwhelming these developments were the devastating effects of
the military's takeover in July 1994. By October, traffic at the Port
of Banjul had fallen precipitously as importers nervously scaled back
their activities with the commencement of the anticorruption drive by
the new regime. Concerned with the growing potential for serious
unrest after a countercoup attempt was bloodily put down by the
regime, the United Kingdom and the EU in November issued a travelers
advisory for The Gambia, which brought a halt to tourism almost
immediately. The Gambia faces additional problems in 1995 if, as is
likely, economic sanctions by Western governments remain in effect in
response to indications that the military regime inte