one: [1] (202) 232-6656
chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Pamela E. BRIDGEWATER embassy: Rue Caporal
B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone:
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red
with a vertical green band on the hoist side

Economy Benin

Economy - overview: The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and
dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional
trade. Growth in real output averaged a stable 5% in the past five years,
but rapid population rise offset much of this increase. Inflation has
subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still
further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more
emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing
systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and
communication technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue
in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of
initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors
have eased the external debt situation.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.8 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 5.4% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,040 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 36% industry: 14% services:
50% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line: 37% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2001 est.)

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $377.4 million expenditures: $561.8 million, including
capital expenditures of $NA (2001)

Industries: textiles, food processing, chemical production, construction
materials (2001)

Industrial production growth rate: 8.3% (2001 est.)

Electricity - production: 240 million kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 16.67% hydro: 83.33%
other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0%

Electricity - consumption: 523.2 million kWh (2000)

Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)

Electricity - imports: 300 million kWh (2000)

Agriculture - products: cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans,
palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001)

Exports: $35.3 million (f.o.b., 2000)

Exports - commodities: cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa

Exports - partne