<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Guyana<nl>Economy</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Overview:</hi> Guyana, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, has pushed ahead strongly in 1991-93, at 7% average annual growth rate. Favorable factors include recovery in the key agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiative, a more realistic exchange rate, a sharp drop in the inflation rate, and the continued support of international organizations. Serious underlying economic problems will continue. Electric power has been in short supply and constitutes a major barrier to future gains in national output. The government will have to persist in efforts to control external debt and inflation and to extend the privatization program.
<item><hi format=bold>National product:</hi> GDP—purchasing power equivalent—$1.4 billion (1993 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>National product real growth rate:</hi> 8.3% (1993 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>National product per capita:</hi> $1,900 (1993 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>Agriculture:</hi> most important sector, accounting for 25% of GDP and about half of exports; sugar and rice are key crops; development potential exists for fishing and forestry; not self-sufficient in food, especially wheat, vegetable oils, and animal products
<item><hi format=bold>Economic aid:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>recipient:</hi> US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $116 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $325 million; Communist countries 1970-89, $242 million
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<item><hi format=bold>Currency:</hi> 1 Guyanese dollar (G$)=100 cents