nization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC,
EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,
IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Stasys SAKALAUSKAS
chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: (202) 234-5860
FAX: (202) 328-0466
consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Keith C. SMITH
embassy: Akmenu 6, 2600 Vilnius
mailing address: American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE
09723
telephone: (2) 223-031
FAX: (6) 706-084

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green,
and red

@Lithuania:Economy

Economy - overview: Lithuania, the Baltic state that has conducted the
most trade with Russia, faced its own economic and financial crisis in
1999 as a result of the government's wrongfooted economic policies and
its inadequate response to the August 1998 Russian financial crisis.
Preliminary figures indicate 3% negative GDP growth, 10% unemployment
- the highest level since independence in 1991 - and a budget deficit
estimated at between 8 and 9% of GDP. The policies that Prime Minister
KUBILIUS implemented upon taking the helm in November 1999 underscore
a commitment to fiscal restraint, economic stabilization, and
accelerated reforms. The austere 2000 budget in based on a 2% GDP
growth forecast, 3% inflation, and a 2.8% budget deficit. Lithuania
was invited at the Helsinki EU summit in December 1999 to begin EU
accession talks in early 2000. Privatization of the large state-owned
utilities, particularly in the energy sector, and reducing the high
current account deficit remain challenges for the coming year.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: -3% (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,800 (1999 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 32%
services: 58% (1998 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 28% (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.3% (1999 est.)

Labor force: 1.8 million

Labor force - by occupation: industry 30%, agricultur