UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Madzandza KHANYA
chancery: 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 362-6683, 6685
FAX: [1] (202) 244-8059
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador John T. SPROTT
embassy: Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane
mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane
telephone: [268] 46441 through 46445
FAX: [268] 45959
Flag: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width),
and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band
is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff
decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally
Economy
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Economic overview: This small landlocked economy is based largely
on subsistence agriculture, which occupies more than 60% of the
population. Manufacturing features a number of agroprocessing
factories. Mining has declined in importance in recent years;
high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted by 1978, and health
concerns cut world demand for asbestos. Exports of sugar and
forestry products are the main earners of hard currency. Surrounded
by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique,
Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa, from which it
receives 90% of its imports and to which it sends about half of its
exports. Remittances from Swazi workers in South African mines
supplement domestically produced income by as much as 20%.
Overgrazing, soil depletion, and drougth persist as problems for the
future.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 25%
industry: 40%
services: 35% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.7% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 160,355 (1986 est.)
by occupation: private sector about 65%, public sector 35%
Unemployment rate: 15% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $342 million
expenditures: $410 million, including capital expenditures of $130
million (1994 est.)
Industries: mining (coal and asbestos), wood pulp, sugar
Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (1993 est.)
Electricity:
capacity: 120,000 kW
production: 410 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,003 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, cotton, maize, tobacco, rice, ci
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