AFI (since 2 July 1992)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Belaid ABDESSELAM (since 8 July 1992)
Member of:
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,
INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPEC,
UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mohamed ZARHOUNI
chancery:
2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 265-2800
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mary Ann CASEY
embassy:
4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers
mailing address:
B. P. Box 549, Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers
telephone:
[213] (2) 601-425 or 255, 186
FAX:
[213] (2) 603979
consulate: Oran
Flag:
two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white with a red
five-pointed star within a red crescent; the crescent, star, and color green
are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion)

*Algeria, Economy

Overview:
The oil and natural gas sector forms the backbone of the economy,
hydrocarbons accounting for nearly all export receipts, about 30% of
government revenues, and nearly 25% of GDP. In 1973-74 the sharp increase in
oil prices led to a booming economy and helped to finance an ambitious
program of industrialization. Plunging oil and gas prices, combined with the
mismanagement of Algeria's highly centralized economy, has brought the
nation to its most serious social and economic crisis since full
independence in 1988. The current government has put reform, including
privatization of some public sector companies and an overhaul of the banking
and financial system, on hold, but has continued efforts to admit private
enterprise to the hydrocarbon industry.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $42 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
2.8% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,570 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
55% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
35% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues $14.4 billion; expenditures $14.6 billion, including capital
expenditures of $3.5 billion (1992 est.)
Exports:
$11.6 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
petroleum and natural gas 97%
partners:
Italy, France, US, Germany, Spain
Import