esentation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bryan Dean CURRAN
embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo
mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top),
black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist
side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is
a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black
superimposed on an open white book

Economy

Economy--overview: Before the peace accord of October 1992,
Mozambique's economy was devastated by a protracted civil war and
socialist mismanagement. In 1994, it ranked as one of the poorest
countries in the world. Since then, Mozambique has undertaken a
series of economic reforms. Almost all aspects of the economy have
been liberalized to some extent. More than 900 state enterprises
have been privatized. Pending are tax and much needed commercial
code reform, as well as greater private sector involvement in the
transportation, telecommunications, and energy sectors. Since 1996,
inflation has been low and foreign exchange rates stable. Albeit
from a small base, Mozambique achieved one of the highest growth
rates in the world in 1997-98. Still, the country depends on foreign
assistance to balance the budget and to pay for a trade imbalance in
which imports outnumber exports by three to one. The medium-term
outlook for the country looks bright, as trade and transportation
links to South Africa and the rest of the region are expected to
improve and sizable foreign investments materialize. Among these
investments are metal production (aluminum, steel), natural gas,
power generation, agriculture (cotton, sugar), fishing, timber, and
transportation services. Additional exports in these areas should
bring in needed foreign exchange.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$16.8 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: 11% (1998 est.)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$900 (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 35%
industry: 13%
services: 52% (1996 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.3% (1998 est.)

Labor force: NA

Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry 9.5%,
services 5.5%, wage earners working abroad 5% (1993 est)