ces, 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 the national debt, although
public debate continues over how to manage the rising cost of the
publicly funded healthcare system. Trade accounts for roughly a
third of GDP. Canada enjoys a substantial trade surplus with its
principal trading partner, the United States, which absorbs more
than 85% of Canadian exports. Roughly 90% of the population lives
within 160 kilometers of the US border.

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 72% of GDP.
Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the
share of agriculture in GDP in 2001 was only 11%, of which fishing
accounted for 1.5%. 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.
Prospects for 2004 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows,
tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's
development program.

Cayman Islands
With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving
offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were
registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600
banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. 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 1.2 million in 1997, with 600,000 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