t or ABSDF

International organization participation: AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP,
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU,
NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador TIN WINN
chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Kent M.
WIEDEMANN
embassy: 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521)
mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546

Flag description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper
hoist-side corner bearing, all in white, 14 five-pointed stars
encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars
represent the 14 administrative divisions

Economy

Economy--overview: Burma has a mixed economy with private activity
dominant in agriculture, light industry, and transport, and with
substantial state-controlled activity, mainly in energy, heavy
industry, and the rice trade. Government policy in the last 10
years, 1989-98, has aimed at revitalizing the economy after three
decades of tight central planning. Thus, private activity has
markedly increased; foreign investment has been encouraged, so far
with moderate success; and efforts continue to increase the
efficiency of state enterprises. Published estimates of Burma's
foreign trade are greatly understated because of the volume of
black-market trade. A major ongoing problem is the failure to
achieve monetary and fiscal stability. Although Burma remains a poor
Asian country, its rich resources furnish the potential for
substantial long-term increases in income, exports, and living
standards. The short-term outlook is for continued sluggish growth
because of internal unrest, minimal foreign investment, and the
large trade deficit.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$56.1 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: 1.1% (1998 est.)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,200 (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 59%
industry: 11%
services: 30% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 50% (1998 est.)

Labor force: 18.8 million (FY95/96