that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign
investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50%
devaluation of the African franc in January 1994 have pushed up
economic growth to a sturdy 5% average in 1996-2002. Worker
remittances and external trade routes have been jeopardized by
continued unrest in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire.

Malta
Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic
location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about
20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has no
domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade,
manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism.
Malta is privatizing state-controlled firms and liberalizing markets
in order to prepare for membership in the European Union. The island
remains divided politically, however, over the question of joining
the EU. Continued sluggishness in the global economy is holding back
exports, tourism, and overall growth.

Man, Isle of
Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key
sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering
incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions
to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment
opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture
and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in
their shares of GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man
enjoys free access to EU markets.

Marshall Islands
US Government assistance is the mainstay of this
tiny island economy. Agricultural production is primarily
subsistence and is concentrated on small farms; the most important
commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry
is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist
industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than
10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added
income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far
exceed exports. Under the terms of the Compact of Free Association,
the US has provided more than $1 billion in aid since 1986.
Negotiations have continued for an extended agreement. Government
downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism
and foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties, and
less income from the renewal of fishing ves