Imports—partners: US 53%, Japan, Colombia, Italy, Germany (1997)
Debt—external: $26.5 billion (1996)
Economic aid—recipient: $50.8 million (1995)
Currency: 1 bolivar (Bs) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: bolivares (Bs) per US$1—570.267 (January 1999), 547.556 (1998), 488.635 (1997), 417.333 (1996), 176.843 (1995), 148.503 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 1.44 million (1987 est.)
Telephone system: modern and expanding domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations international: 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 181, FM 0, shortwave 26