MF,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA,
MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Tertius ZONGO
chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577
FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jeanine E. JACKSON
embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4
mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - US
Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC
20521-2440
telephone: [226] 50-30-67-23
FAX: [226] 50-30-38-90, 50-31-23-68

Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow
five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors
of Ethiopia

Economy Burkina Faso

Economy - overview:
One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso
has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. About 90% of
the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, which is
vulnerable to periodic drought. Cotton is the main cash crop and the
government has joined with three other cotton producing countries in
the region - Mali, Niger, and Chad - to lobby for improved access to
Western markets. GDP growth has largely been driven by increases in
world cotton prices. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable
government-controlled corporations. Following the CFA franc currency
devaluation in January 1994, the government updated its development
program in conjunction with international agencies; exports and
economic growth have increased. The government devolved
macroeconomic policy and inflation targeting to the West African
regional central bank (BCEAO), but maintains control over fiscal and
microeconomic policies, including implementing reforms to encourage
private investment. The bitter internal crisis in neighboring Cote
d'Ivoire continues to hurt trade and industrial prospects and
deepens the need for international assistance. Burkina Faso is
eligible for a Millenium Challenge Account grant, which would
increase investment in the country's human capital.

GDP (purchasing power parity):
$17.87 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.821 billion