<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Panama<nl>Economy</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Overview:</hi> GDP expanded by roughly 5.9% in 1993, following growth of 8% in 1992; banking and financial services led the way in 1993. The economy thus continues to recover from the crisis that preceded the ouster of Manuel NORIEGA, even though the government's structural adjustment program has been hampered by a lack of popular support and a passive administration. Public investment has been limited as the administration has kept the fiscal deficit below 2% of GDP. Unemployment and economic reform are the two major issues the new government must face in 1994-95.
<item><hi format=bold>National product:</hi> GDP—purchasing power equivalent—$11.6 billion (1993 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>National product real growth rate:</hi> 5.9% (1993 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>National product per capita:</hi> $4,500 (1993 est.)
<item>• <hi format=ital>consumption per capita:</hi> 720 kWh (1992)
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<item><hi format=bold>Industries:</hi> manufacturing and construction activities, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction material, sugar milling
<item><hi format=bold>Agriculture:</hi> accounts for 10% of GDP (1992 est.), 27% of labor force (1992); crops —bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane; livestock; fishing; importer of food grain, vegetables
<item><hi format=bold>Illicit drugs:</hi> major cocaine transshipment point and drug money laundering center
<item><hi format=bold>Economic aid:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>recipient:</hi> US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $516 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $582 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $4 million