Guyana Economy—overview: In 1997 Guyana one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere posted its sixth straight year of economic growth of 5% or better with the advance led by gold and bauxite mining and by sugar growing. Favorable growth factors have included expansion in the key agricultural and mining sectors a more favorable atmosphere for business initiative a more realistic exchange rate a moderate inflation rate and the continued support of international organizations. Serious underlying economic problems will continue. Electric power has been in short supply and constitutes a major barrier to future gains in national output. The government must persist in efforts to manage its sizable external debt and extend its privatization program. GDP: purchasing power parity—$1.8 billion (1997 est.) GDP—real growth rate: 5% (1997 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$2 500 (1997 est.) GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 39% industry: 28% services: 33% (1995 est.) Inflation rate—consumer price index: 4.5% (1997 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: 12% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues: $278 million expenditures: $299 million including capital expenditures of $133 million (1996 est.) Industries: bauxite sugar rice milling timber fishing (shrimp) textiles gold mining Industrial production growth rate: 5.6% (1994 est.) Electricity—capacity: 114 000 kW (1995) Electricity—production: 230 million kWh (1995) Electricity—consumption per capita: 339 kWh (1995) Agriculture—products: sugar rice wheat vegetable oils; beef pork poultry dairy products; development potential exists for fishing and forestry Exports: total value: $546 million (f.o.b. 1996) commodities: sugar gold bauxite/alumina rice shrimp molasses partners: Canada 33% US 24% UK 22% (1994 est.) Imports: total value: $589 million (c.i.f. 1996 est.) commodities: manufactures machinery petroleum food partners: US 29% Trinidad and Tobago 17% Netherlands Antilles 17% UK 11% (1994 est.) Debt—external: $1.5 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA $NA Currency: 1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1—144.2 (January 1998) 142.4 (1997) 140.4 (1996) 142.0 (1995) 138.3 (1994) 126.7 (1993) Fiscal year: calendar year
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