Imports - partners: US 35.8%, Colombia 6.8%, Brazil 4.5%, Germany 3.9%,
Italy 3.9% (2000)
Debt - external: $34.5 billion (2000)
Economic aid - recipient: $35 million with more assistance likely as a result of flooding (1999)
Currency: bolivar (VEB)
Currency code: VEB
Exchange rates: bolivares per US dollar - 761.225 (January 2002), 723.666 (2001), 679.960 (2000), 605.717 (1999), 547.556 (1998), 488.635 (1997)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications Venezuela
Telephones - main lines in use: 2.6 million (however, 3,500,000 have been installed) (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 2 million (1998)