UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Muhammad al-Sabah al-Salim al-SABAH
chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 966-0702
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Edward (Skip) GNEHM, Jr.
embassy:
Bneid al-Gar (opposite the Kuwait International Hotel), Kuwait City
mailing address:
P.O. Box 77 SAFAT, 13001 SAFAT, Kuwait; APO AE 09880
telephone:
[965] 242-4151 through 4159
FAX:
[956] 244-2855
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black
trapezoid based on the hoist side

*Kuwait, Economy

Overview:
Kuwait is a small and relatively open economy with proven crude oil reserves
of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Kuwait is rebuilding
its war-ravaged petroleum sector and the increase in crude oil production to
nearly 2.0 million barrels per day by the end of 1992 led to an enormous
increase in GDP for the year. The government ran a cumulative fiscal deficit
of approximately $70 billion over its last two fiscal years, reducing its
foreign asset position and increasing its public debt to roughly $40
billion. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP and over 90% of export
and government revenue.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $15.3 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
80% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$11,100 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NEGL% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues $7.1 billion; expenditures $10.5 billion, including capital
expenditures of $3.1 billion (FY88)
Exports:
$750 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
oil
partners:
France 16%, Italy 15%, Japan 12%, UK 11%
Imports:
$4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing
partners: US 35%, Japan 12%, UK 9%, Canada 9%
External debt:
$7.2 billion (December 1989 est.)
note:
external debt has grown substantially in 1991 and 1992 to pay for
restoration of war damage
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%; accounts for NA% of GDP
Electricity:
6,873,000 kW available out of 7,398,000 kW capacity due to Persian Gulf war;
12,264 million kWh produced, 8,890 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination,