International organization participation:
BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU,
ISO, ITU, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ljupco JORDANOVSKI chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131 consulate(s) general: Southfield (Michigan)

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gillian A. MILOVANOVIC embassy: Bul. Ilindenska bb, 1000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] 2 311-6180 FAX: [389] 2 311-7103

Flag description:
a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of
the red field

Economy Macedonia

Economy - overview:
At independence in September 1991, Macedonia was the least
developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the
total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of
Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the central government and
eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area.
An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on the downsized
Yugoslavia, one of its largest markets, and a Greek economic embargo
over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag
hindered economic growth until 1996. GDP subsequently rose each year
through 2000. However, the leadership's commitment to economic
reform, free trade, and regional integration was undermined by the
ethnic Albanian insurgency of 2001. The economy shrank 4.5% because
of decreased trade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit
spending on security needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth barely
recovered in 2002 to 0.9%, then rose by 3.4% in 2003, 4.1% in 2004,
and 3.7% in 2005. Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability
with low inflation, but it has lagged the region in attracting
foreign investment and job growth has been anemic. Macedonia has an
extensive grey market, estimated to be more than 20 percent of GDP,
that falls outside official statistics.

GDP (purchasing power parity): $15.94 billion note: Macedonia has a large informal sector (2005 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.304 billion (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
4% (2005 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):
$7,800 (2005 est.)