slands in 1998.
Tourism suffered in 2002 because of the lackluster US economy. In
the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration
to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and
incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly
400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The
adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which
provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory
gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make
the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international
business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural
activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic
food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US
Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the dollar as
its currency since 1959.

Brunei
This small, wealthy economy encompasses a mixture of foreign
and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare
measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas
production account for nearly half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far
above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from
overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The
government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and
housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased
integration in the world economy will undermine internal social
cohesion, although it became a more prominent player by serving as
chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation)
forum. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force,
reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist
sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond
oil and gas.

Bulgaria
Bulgaria, a former communist country striving to enter the
European Union, has experienced macroeconomic stability and strong
growth since a major economic downturn in 1996 led to the fall of
the then socialist government. As a result, the government became
committed to economic reform and responsible fiscal planning. A $300
million stand-by agreement negotiated with the IMF at the end of
2001 has supported government efforts to overcome high rates of
poverty and unemployment.

Burkina Faso
One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked
Burkina Fa