185, Djibouti
telephone:
[253] 35-39-95
FAX:
[253] 35-39-40
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white
isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star
in the center

*Djibouti, Economy

Overview:
The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's
strategic location and status as a free trade zone in northeast Africa.
Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an
international transshipment and refueling center. It has few natural
resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent
on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance
development projects. An unemployment rate of over 30% continues to be a
major problem. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the last
five years because of recession and a high population growth rate (including
immigrants and refugees).
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $358 million (1990 est.)
National product real growth rate:
1.2% (1990 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,030 (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.7% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
over 30% (1989)
Budget:
revenues $170 million; expenditures $203 million, including capital
expenditures of $70 million (1991 est.)
Exports:
$186 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities: hides and skins, coffee (in transit)
partners:
Africa 50%, Middle East 40%, Western Europe 9%
Imports:
$360 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products
partners:
Western Europe 54%, Middle East 20%, Asia 19%
External debt:
$355 million (December 1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate 10.0% (1990); manufacturing accounts for 11% of GDP
Electricity:
115,000 kW capacity; 200 million kWh produced, 580 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairy products and
mineral-water bottling
Agriculture:
accounts for only 3% of GDP; scanty rainfall limits crop production to
mostly fruit and vegetables; half of population pastoral nomads herding
goats, sheep, and camels; imports bulk of food needs
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $39 million; Western (non-US)
countries, including ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1
billio