five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band;
similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band and of Iraq,
which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal
line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which
has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band

*Syria, Economy

Overview:
Syria's state-dominated Ba'thist economy has benefited from the Gulf war,
increased oil production, good weather, and economic deregulation. Economic
growth averaged nearly 12% annually in 1990-91, buoyed by increased oil
production and improved agricultural performance. The Gulf war of early 1991
provided Syria an aid windfall of nearly $5 billion dollars from Arab,
European, and Japanese donors. These inflows more than offset Damascus's
war-related costs and will help Syria cover some of its debt arrears,
restore suspended credit lines, and initiate selected military and civilian
purchases. In 1992 the government spurred economic development by loosening
controls on domestic and foreign investment while maintaining strict
political controls. For the long run, Syria's economy is still saddled with
a large number of poorly performing public sector firms and industrial and
agricultural productivity is poor. A major long-term concern is the
additional drain of upstream Euphrates water by Turkey when its vast dam and
irrigation projects are completed by mid-decade.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $30 billion (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
9% (1991 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,300 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5.7% (1989)
Budget:
revenues $5.4 billion; expenditures $7.5 billion, including capital
expenditures of $2.9 billion (1991 est.)
Exports:
$3.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
petroleum 45%, farm products 11%, textiles, phosphates 5% (1990)
partners:
USSR and Eastern Europe 44%, EC 34%, Arab countries 17%, US/Canada 1% (1990)
Imports:
$2.7 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs and beverages 21%, machinery 15%, metal and metal products 15%,
textiles 7%, petroleum products (1990)
partners:
EC 42%, USSR and Eastern Europe 13%, other Europe 13%, US/Canada 11%, Arab
countries 6% (1990)
External debt:
$5.3 billion (1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 6%