, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,
INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS,
OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO

_#_Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jaime FORD;
Chancery at 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone
(202) 483-1407; the status of the Consulates General and Consulates has
not yet been determined;

US--Ambassador Deane R. HINTON; Embassy at Avenida Balboa and
Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5 (mailing address is Box E,
APO Miami 34002); telephone [507] 27-1777

_#_Flag: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are
white with a blue five-pointed star in the center (hoist side) and plain
red, the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a
red five-pointed star in the center

_*_Economy
_#_Overview: GDP expanded by an estimated 5% in 1990, after
contracting 1% in 1988 and 14% in 1989. Political stability prompted
greater business confidence and consumer demand, leading to increased
production by the agricultural, commercial, manufacturing, construction,
and utilities sectors. The transportation sector and government services
declined slightly due to slack early-1990 transits through the Panama
Canal, lower oil pipeline flowthrough, and Panama City's budget cuts.
Imports and exports posted gains during the year, and government revenues
were up sharply over 1989's levels.

_#_GDP: $4.8 billion, per capita $1,980; real growth rate 5%
(1990 est.)

_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (1990 est.)

_#_Unemployment rate: 20% (1990)

_#_Budget: revenues $1.7 billion; expenditures $1.8 billion,
including capital expenditures of $70 million (1990 est.)

_#_Exports: $355 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.);

commodities--bananas 27%, shrimp 21%, clothing 6%, coffee 4%,
sugar 4%;

partners--US 90%, Central America and Caribbean, EC (1989 est.)

_#_Imports: $1,250 million (f.o.b., 1990);

commodities--foodstuffs 13%, capital goods 12%, crude oil 12%,
consumer goods, chemicals;

partners--US 35%, Central America and Caribbean, EC,
Mexico, Venezuela (1989 est.)

_#_External debt: $5 billion (December 1990 est.)

_#_Industrial production: growth rate 4.8% (1990 est.)

_#_Electricity: 1,113,000 kW capacity; 3,264 million kWh produced,
1,350 kWh per capita (1990)

_#_Industries: manufacturing and construction activities, petroleum
refining, brewing, cement and othe