, 14 Lossen St., Windhoek
mailing address:
P. O. Box 9890, Windhoek 9000
telephone:
[264] (61) 221-601, 222-675, 222-680
FAX:
[264] (61) 229-792
Flag:
a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section,
and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the
triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow
white-edge borders

*Namibia, Economy

Overview:
The economy is heavily dependent on the mining industry to extract and
process minerals for export. Mining accounts for almost 25% of GDP. Namibia
is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's
fifth-largest producer of uranium. Alluvial diamond deposits are among the
richest in the world, making Namibia a primary source for gem-quality
diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver,
and tungsten. More than half the population depends on agriculture (largely
subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood.

National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
2% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,300 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10% (1992) in urban area
Unemployment rate:
25-35% (1992)
Budget:
revenues $864 million; expenditures $1,112 million, including capital
expenditures of $144 million (FY 92)
Exports:
$1.184 billion (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium, cattle, processed fish, karakul
skins
partners:
Switzerland, South Africa, Germany, Japan
Imports:
$1.238 billion (f.o.b., 1991)

*Namibia, Economy

commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment
partners:
South Africa, Germany, US, Switzerland
External debt:
about $220 million (1992 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 4.9% (1991); accounts for 35% of GDP, including mining
Electricity:
490,000 kW capacity; 1,290 million kWh produced, 850 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, mining (copper, lead, zinc,
diamond, uranium)
Agriculture:
accounts for 15% of GDP; mostly subsistence farming; livestock raising major
source of cash income; crops - millet, sorghum, peanuts; fish catch
potential of over 1 million metric tons not being fulfilled, 1988 catch
reaching only 384,000