ing is the largest industry, employing 25% of the
work force and accounting for over 60% of exports; it is also an important
source of government revenue. During the 1980s tourism has become one of the
most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1988 industry
accounted for about 5% of GDP. Real GDP is officially estimated to have
increased by about 10% annually during the period 1974-90.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion - $174 million, per capita $770 (1988); real growth
rate 10.1% (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.7% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NEGL%
Budget:
revenues $67 million; expenditures $82 million, including capital
expenditures of $45 million (1990 est.)
Exports:
$52.0 million (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
fish 57%, clothing 25%
partners:
US, UK, Sri Lanka
Imports:
$128.9 million (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities:
consumer goods 54%, intermediate and capital goods 33%, petroleum products
13%
partners:
Singapore, Germany, Sri Lanka, India
External debt:
$70 million (December 1989)
Industrial production:
growth rate -5.0% (1988); accounts for 6% of GDP
Electricity:
5,000 kW capacity; 11 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1990)
Industries:
fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconut
processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts
Agriculture:
accounts for almost 30% of GDP (including fishing); fishing more important
than farming; limited production of coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; most
staple foods must be imported; fish catch of 67,000 tons (1990 est.)
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $125 million; OPEC
bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million
Currency:
rufiyaa (plural - rufiyaa); 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laaris
Exchange rates:
rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 10.234 (January 1992), 10.253 (1991), 9.509 (1990),
9.0408 (1989), 8.7846 (1988), 9.2230 (1987)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

:Maldives Communications

Highways:
Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city
Ports:
Male, Gan
Merchant marine:
13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 37,293 GRT/56,246 DWT; includes 11
cargo, 1 container, 1 petroleum tanker
Civil air:
1 major transport aircraft
Airports:
2 w