KAIABE]; United Party or UP [Rimbiuk PATO]
note: more than 40 political parties have registered to participate in
the June 2002 elections

Political pressure groups and leaders: NA

International organization participation: ACP, APEC, ARF (dialogue
partner), AsDB, ASEAN (associate member), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD,
ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC,
SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nagora
Y. BOGAN chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington,
DC 20036 FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679 telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Susan S. JACOBS embassy: Douglas Street,
P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby telephone:
Flag description: divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the
upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered;
the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the
Southern Cross constellation centered

Economy Papua New Guinea

Economy - overview: Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural
resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the
high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence
livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including oil,
copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. The economy has
declined over the past two years and will probably continue to falter
in 2002. Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA has tried to restore integrity
to state institutions, stabilize the kina, restore stability to the
national budget, privatize public enterprises where appropriate, and
ensure ongoing peace on Bougainville. The government has had considerable
success in attracting international support, specifically gaining the
support of the IMF and the World Bank in securing development assistance
loans. Significant challenges remain for MORAUTA, however, including
gaining further investor confidence, specifically for the proposed
Papua New Guinea-Australia oil pipeline, continuing efforts to privatize
government assets, and maintaining the support of members of Parliament.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.2 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: -2.5% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parit