B. P. 34, Bamako

Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist
side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of
Ethiopia

Economy

Economy--overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the
world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic
activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the
Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the
labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity
is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily
dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world
prices for cotton, its main export. In 1997, the government
continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended
structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow,
diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali's adherence to
economic reform, and the 50% devaluation of the African franc in
January 1994, has pushed up economic growth. Several multinational
corporations increased gold mining operations in 1996-98, and the
government anticipates that Mali will become a major Sub-Saharan
gold exporter in the next few years. Annual growth thus may fall in
the 5% range in 1999-2000, and inflation held to 5% or less.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$8 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: 4.6% (1998 est.)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$790 (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 49%
industry: 17%
services: 34% (1995)

Population below poverty line: NA%

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1998 est.)

Labor force: NA

Labor force--by occupation: agriculture and fishing 80% (1998 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $730 million
expenditures: $770 million, including capital expenditures of $320
million (1997 est.)

Industries: minor local consumer goods production and food
processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining

Industrial production growth rate: 0.6% (1995 est.)

Electricity--production: 288 million kWh (1996)

Electricity--production by source:
fossil fuel: 21.88%
hydro: 78.12%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1996)

Electricity--consumption: 288 million kWh (1996)

Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996)

Agriculture--products: co