International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, SADC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bernard Herbert SANDE
chancery: 1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 320, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 721-0270
FAX: [1] (202) 721-0288
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David
GILMOUR
embassy: Area 40, Plot 24, Kenyatta Road
mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
telephone: [265] (1) 773 166
FAX: [265] (1) 770 471
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a
radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Government - note:
the executive exerts considerable influence over the legislature
Economy Malawi
Economy - overview:
Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed
countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90%
of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounted for
nearly 36% of GDP and 80% of export revenues in 2005. The
performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as
tobacco accounts for over 60% of exports. The economy depends on
substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World
Bank, and individual donor nations. In late 2000, Malawi was
approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)
program. The government faces strong challenges, including
developing a market economy, improving educational facilities,
facing up to environmental problems, dealing with the rapidly
growing problem of HIV/AIDS, and satisfying foreign donors that
fiscal discipline is being tightened. In 2005, President MUTHARIKA
championed an anticorruption campaign. Malawi's recent fiscal policy
performance has been very strong, but a serious drought in 2005 and
2006 will heighten pressure on the government to increase spending.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$7.364 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.984 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.9% (2005 est.)