Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dane Farnsworth SMITH, Jr. embassy: Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Avenue Kleber, Dakar mailing address: B. P. 49, Dakar telephone: [221] 23 42 96, 23 34 24 FAX: [221] 22 29 91
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
@Senegal:Economy
Economy-overview: In January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious economic reform program with the support of the international donor community. This reform began with a 50% devaluation of Senegal's currency, the CFA franc, which is linked at a fixed rate to the French franc. Government price controls and subsidies have been steadily dismantled. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform program, with real growth in GDP of 5.6% in 1996 and 4.7% in 1997. Annual inflation has been pushed below 3% and the fiscal deficit has been cut to less than 1.5% of GDP. Investment has been steadily rising from 13.8% of GDP in 1993 to 16.5% in 1997. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff. Senegal also realized full Internet connectivity in 1996, creating a miniboom in information technology-based services. Private activity now accounts for 82% of GDP. On the negative side, Senegal faces deep-seated urban problems of chronic unemployment, juvenile delinquency, and drug addiction.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$15.6 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 4.7% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$1,850 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 17% services: 64% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.5% (1997 est.)
Labor force: NA by occupation: agriculture 60%