Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,
ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL,
UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dodou Bammy JAGNE
chancery: Suite 905, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph D. STAFFORD, III embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 439-2856, 437-6169, 437-6170 FAX: [220] 439-2475
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges,
and green
Economy Gambia, The
Economy - overview:
The Gambia has no significant mineral or natural resource deposits
and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population
depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale
manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and
hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of
economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment
inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency)
have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The
government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta
eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts. Despite an
announced program to begin privatizing key parastatals, no plans
have been made public that would indicate that the government
intends to follow through on its promises. Unemployment and
underemployment rates remain extremely high; short-run economic
progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on
responsible government economic management, on continued technical
assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors, and on expected growth
in the construction sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.034 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$429 million (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.5% (2005 est.)