_*Economy #_Overview: GDP expanded by an estimated 5% in 1990, after contracting 1% in 1988 and 14% in 1989. Political stability prompted greater business confidence and consumer demand, leading to increased production by the agricultural, commercial, manufacturing, construction, and utilities sectors. The transportation sector and government services declined slightly due to slack early-1990 transits through the Panama Canal, lower oil pipeline flowthrough, and Panama City's budget cuts. Imports and exports posted gains during the year, and government revenues were up sharply over 1989's levels.
_#_GDP: $4.8 billion, per capita $1,980; real growth rate 5% (1990 est.)
_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (1990 est.)
_#_Unemployment rate: 20% (1990)
_#_Budget: revenues $1.7 billion; expenditures $1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $70 million (1990 est.)
_#_Exports: $355 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.);
commodities—bananas 27%, shrimp 21%, clothing 6%, coffee 4%, sugar 4%;
partners—US 90%, Central America and Caribbean, EC (1989 est.)
_#_Imports: $1,250 million (f.o.b., 1990);
commodities—foodstuffs 13%, capital goods 12%, crude oil 12%, consumer goods, chemicals;