882
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert A. FLATEN
embassy:
Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali
mailing address:
B. P. 28, Kigali
telephone:
[250] 75601 through 75603
FAX:
[250] 72128
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green with a
large black letter R centered in the yellow band; uses the popular
pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Guinea, which has a
plain yellow band

*Rwanda, Economy

Overview:
Almost 50% of GDP comes from the agricultural sector; coffee and tea make up
80-90% of total exports. The amount of fertile land is limited, however, and
deforestation and soil erosion have created problems. The industrial sector
in Rwanda is small, contributing only 17% to GDP. Manufacturing focuses
mainly on the processing of agricultural products. The Rwandan economy
remains dependent on coffee exports and foreign aid. Weak international
prices since 1986 have caused the economy to contract and per capita GDP to
decline. A structural adjustment program with the World Bank began in
October 1990. An outbreak of insurgency, also in October 1990, has dampened
prospects for economic improvement.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.35 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
1.3% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$290 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $350 million; expenditures $453.7 million, including capital
expenditures of $NA million (1992 est.)
Exports:
$66.6 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
coffee 85%, tea, tin, cassiterite, wolframite, pyrethrum
partners:
Germany, Belgium, Italy, Uganda, UK, France, US
Imports:
$259.5 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
textiles, foodstuffs, machines and equipment, capital goods, steel,
petroleum products, cement and construction material
partners:
US, Belgium, Germany, Kenya, Japan
External debt:
$911 million (1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.2% (1988); accounts for 17% of GDP
Electricity:
30,000 kW capacity; 130 million kWh produced, 15 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
mining of cassiterite (tin ore) and wolframite (tungsten ore), tin, cement,
agricultural processing, small-scale beverage production, soap, furniture,
shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes
Ag