with extensive government
corruption discourage foreign investment. The Cambodian government
continues to work with bilateral and multilateral donors to address
the country's many pressing needs. In December 2004, official donors
pledged $504 million in aid for 2005 on the condition that the
Cambodian government begins taking steps to address rampant
corruption. The next donor pledging session is scheduled for
December 2005. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the
next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the
private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's
demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is 20 years
or younger.

Cameroon
Because of its oil resources and favorable agricultural
conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity
economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious
problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy
civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business
enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF
and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment,
increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize
the nation's banks. In June 2000, the government completed an
IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however,
the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget
transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs.
International oil and cocoa prices have considerable impact on the
economy.

Canada
As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, newly entered
in the trillion dollar class, Canada closely resembles the US in its
market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and affluent
living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the
manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the
nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial
and urban. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the
1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes
Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic
integration with the US. Given its great natural resources, skilled
labor force, and modern capital plant Canada enjoys solid economic
prospects. Solid fiscal management has produced a long-term budget
surplus which is substantially reducing