<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Guinea<nl>Economy</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Overview:</hi> Although possessing major mineral and hydropower resources and considerable potential for agricultural development, Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The agricultural sector contributes about 40% to GDP and employs more than 80% of the work force, while industry accounts for 27% of GDP. Guinea possesses over 25% of the world's bauxite reserves. The mining sector accounted for 85% of exports in 1991. Long-run improvements in literacy, financial institutions, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Except in the bauxite industry, foreign investment remains minimal.
<item><hi format=bold>National product:</hi> GDP—purchasing power equivalent—$3.1 billion (1993 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>National product real growth rate:</hi> 3.2% (1992 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>National product per capita:</hi> $500 (1993 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>Agriculture:</hi> accounts for 40% of GDP (includes fishing and forestry); mostly subsistence farming; principal products—rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, timber; livestock—cattle, sheep and goats; not self-sufficient in food grains
<item><hi format=bold>Economic aid:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>recipient:</hi> US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $227 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.465 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $120 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $446 million
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<item><hi format=bold>Currency:</hi> 1 Guinean franc (FG)=100 centimes
<item><hi format=bold>Exchange rates:</hi> Guinean francs (FG) per US$1—810.94 (1 July 1993), 922.9 (30 September 1992), 675 (1990), 618 (1989), 515 (1988), 440 (1987), 383 (1986)
<item><hi format=bold>Fiscal year:</hi> calendar year