Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gerard M.
GALLUCCI
embassy: Sharia Abdul Latif Avenue, Khartoum
mailing address: P. O. Box 699, Khartoum; APO AE 09829
telephone: [249] (11) 774611 or 774700
FAX: [249] (11) 774137
note: US Consul in Cairo is providing backup service for Khartoum
(see http://usembassy.egnet.net/sudan.htm)
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a
green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
Economy Sudan
Economy - overview:
Sudan has turned around a struggling economy with sound economic
policies and infrastructure investments, yet it still faces
formidable economic problems, starting from its low level of per
capita output and extending to its devastating civil stife. From
1997 to date, Sudan has been implementing IMF macroeconomic reforms.
In 1999, Sudan began exporting crude oil and in the last quarter of
1999 recorded its first trade surplus, which, along with monetary
policy, has stabilized the exchange rate. Increased oil production,
revived light industry, and expanded export processing zones helped
sustain GDP growth at 6.1% in 2003 and 7% in 2004. Agriculture
production remains Sudan's most important sector, employing 80% of
the work force and contributing 39% of GDP, but most farms remain
rain-fed and susceptible to drought. Chronic instability - including
the long-standing civil war between the Muslim north and the
Christian/pagan south, the ethnic purges in Darfur, adverse weather,
and weak world agricultural prices - ensure that much of the
population will remain at or below the poverty line for years.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $70.95 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.9% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 38.7% industry: 20.3% services: 41% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
14.8% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:
NA (2004 est.)