tner, the
US, which absorbs 80% of Canadian exports each year. Canada is the
US's largest foreign supplier of energy, including oil, gas,
uranium, and electric power. During 2007, Canada enjoyed good
economic growth, moderate inflation, and the lowest unemployment
rate in more than three decades.

Cape Verde
This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource
base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of
long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce,
transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about
three-fourths of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in
rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. About 82%
of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and
tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade
deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants;
remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are
aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign
investment to diversify the economy. Future prospects depend heavily
on the maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of tourism,
remittances, and the momentum of the government's development
program. Cape Verde became a member of the WTO in July 2008.

Cayman Islands
With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving
offshore financial center. More than 68,000 companies were
registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2003, including almost 500
banks, 800 insurers, and 5,000 mutual funds. A stock exchange was
opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70%
of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is
aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North
America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 2.1 million in 2003, with
about half from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer
goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest
outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the
world.

Central African Republic
Subsistence agriculture, together with
forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African
Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in
outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates more than half of
GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the
diamond industry, for 40%. I