Exports: total value: $4.4 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: petroleum 56%, food and live animals 16%, textiles 16% (1994 est.) partners: EU 57% (Germany 17%, Italy 16%, France 11%), Lebanon 14%, Saudi Arabia 7% (1995 est.)
Imports: total value : $5.2 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery 25%, food and live animals 15%, transport equipment 12%, chemicals 8% (1994 est.) partners: EU 33% (Italy 9%, Germany 8%, France 4%), South Korea 4.5%, US 4%, Japan 3% (1995 est.)
Debt - external: $22 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: $4.2 billion (1990-92)
Currency: 1 Syrian pound (£S) = 100 piastres
Exchange rates: Syrian pounds (£S) per US$1 - 41.9 (January 1997); official fixed rate 11.225
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Syria:Communications
Telephones: 541,465 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel