US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador David N. MERRILL embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1212 telephone: [880] (2) 884700 through 884722 FAX: [880] (2) 883-744
Flag: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; green is the traditional color of Islam
@Bangladesh:Economy
Overview: Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains one of the world's poorest, most densely populated, and least developed nations. Its economy is overwhelmingly agricultural, with the cultivation of rice the single most important activity in the economy. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, the inefficiency of state-owned enterprises, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), and inadequate power supplies. Excellent rice crops and expansion of the export garment industry led to real growth of 4% in 1992 and again in 1993. Policy measures intended to reduce government regulation of private industry, to curb population growth, and to expand employment opportunities have had only partial success given the serious nature of Bangladesh's basic problems.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $130.1 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 4.5% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $1,040 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $2.8 billion
expenditures: $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8
billion (FY92/93)