Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aubrey HOOKS embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828 telephone: [243] (88) 43608 FAX: [243] (88) 43467
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Economy Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Economy - overview:
The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation
endowed with vast potential wealth - has declined drastically since
the mid-1980s. The war, which began in August 1998, has dramatically
reduced national output and government revenue, has increased
external debt, and has resulted in the deaths from war, famine, and
disease of perhaps 3.5 million people. Foreign businesses have
curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the
conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult operating
environment. The war has intensified the impact of such basic
problems as an uncertain legal framework, corruption, inflation, and
lack of openness in government economic policy and financial
operations. Conditions improved in late 2002 with the withdrawal of
a large portion of the invading foreign troops. A number of IMF and
World Bank missions have met with the government to help it develop
a coherent economic plan, and President KABILA has begun
implementing reforms. Much economic activity lies outside the GDP
data.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $34 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $600 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 55%
industry: 11%
services: 34% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%