SpainThe Spanish economy boomed from 1986 to 1990, averaging fivepercent annual growth. After a European-wide recession in the early1990s, the Spanish economy resumed moderate growth starting in 1994.Spain's mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per capitabasis is 80% that of the four leading West European economies. Thecenter-right government of former President AZNAR successfullyworked to gain admission to the first group of countries launchingthe European single currency (the euro) on 1 January 1999. The AZNARadministration continued to advocate liberalization, privatization,and deregulation of the economy and introduced some tax reforms tothat end. Unemployment fell steadily under the AZNAR administrationbut remains high at 10.1%. Growth of 2.5% in 2003, 2.6% in 2004, and3.4% in 2005 was satisfactory given the background of a falteringEuropean economy. The socialist president, RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO, hasinitiated economic and social reforms that are generally popularamong the masses of people, but that are anathema to religious andother conservative elements. Adjusting to the monetary and othereconomic policies of an integrated Europe, reducing unemployment,and absorbing widespread social changes will pose challenges toSpain over the next few years.
Spratly IslandsEconomic activity is limited to commercial fishing.The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basinssuggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region islargely unexplored. There are no reliable estimates of potentialreserves. Commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.
Sri LankaIn 1977, Colombo abandoned statist economic policies andits import substitution trade policy for market-oriented policiesand export-oriented trade. Sri Lanka's most dynamic sectors now arefood processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages,telecommunications, and insurance and banking. In 2003, plantationcrops made up only 15% of exports (compared with 93% in 1970), whiletextiles and garments accounted for 63%. GDP grew at an averageannual rate of about 5.5% in the 1990s, but 2001 saw the firstcontraction in the country's history, by 1.4%, due to a combinationof power shortages, severe budgetary problems, the global slowdown,and continuing civil strife. Growth recovered to 5% between 2002 and2005. About 800,000 Sri Lankans work abroad, 90% in the Middle East.They send home about $1 billion a year. The struggle by the TamilTigers of the north and east for a largely independent homelandcontinues to cast a shadow over the economy. In late December 2004,a major tsunami took about 31,000 lives, left more than 6,300missing and 443,000 displaced, and destroyed an estimated $1.5billion worth of property.
SudanSudan has turned around a struggling economy with soundeconomic policies and infrastructure investments, but it still facesformidable economic problems, starting from its low level of percapita output. From 1997 to date, Sudan has been implementing IMFmacroeconomic reforms. In 1999, Sudan began exporting crude oil andin the last quarter of 1999 recorded its first trade surplus, which,along with monetary policy, has stabilized the exchange rate.Increased oil production, revived light industry, and expandedexport processing zones helped sustain GDP growth at 8.6% in 2004.Agricultural production remains Sudan's most important sector,employing 80% of the work force, contributing 39% of GDP, andaccounting for most of GDP growth, but most farms remain rain-fedand susceptible to drought. Chronic instability - resulting from thelong-standing civil war between the Muslim north and theChristian/pagan south, adverse weather, and weak world agriculturalprices - ensure that much of the population will remain at or belowthe poverty line for years.
SurinameThe economy is dominated by the mining industry, whichaccounts for more than a third of GDP and subjects governmentrevenues to mineral price volatility. The short-term economicoutlook depends on the government's ability to control inflation andon the development of projects in the bauxite and gold miningsectors. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term willdepend on continued commitment to responsible monetary and fiscalpolicies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalizemarkets and promote competition. The government of Ronald VENETIAAN,in his first term, implemented an austerity program, raised taxes,and attempted to control spending. Economic policies are likely toremain the same during VENETIAAN's second term. Prospects for localonshore oil production are good, as a drilling program is underway.Offshore oil drilling was given a boost in 2004 when the State OilCompany (Staatsolie) signed exploration agreements with Repsol,Mearsk, and Occidental.
SvalbardCoal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. Thetreaty of 9 February 1920 gives the 41 signatories equal rights toexploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. AlthoughUS, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past,the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. Thesettlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegianstate-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegianpopulation on the island, runs many of the local services, andprovides most of the local infrastructure. There is also somehunting of seal, reindeer, and fox.
SwazilandIn this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agricultureoccupies more than 80% of the population. The manufacturing sectorhas diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remainimportant foreign exchange earners. Mining has declined inimportance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone minesremaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a shortborder with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on SouthAfrica from which it receives about nine-tenths of its imports andto which it sends nearly two-thirds of its exports. Customs dutiesfrom the Southern African Customs Union and worker remittances fromSouth Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income.The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreigninvestment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimesfloods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth ofthe population needed emergency food aid in 2004-05 because ofdrought, and nearly two-fifths of the adult population has beeninfected by HIV/AIDS.
SwedenAided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20thcentury, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under amixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits.It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and externalcommunications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, andiron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily orientedtoward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% ofindustrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50%of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 2% of GDP andof jobs. The government's commitment to fiscal discipline resultedin a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, which was cut by morethan half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown, decliningrevenue, and increased spending. The Swedish central bank (theRiksbank) focuses on price stability with its inflation target of2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003, but picked up in 2004 and2005. Presumably because of generous sick-leave benefits, Swedishworkers report in sick more often than other Europeans. In September2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system,concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty.
SwitzerlandSwitzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modernmarket economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force,and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big Western Europeaneconomies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economicpractices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance theirinternational competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safehaven forinvestors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy andhas kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting theanemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 toabout 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003, with a small riseto 1.8% in 2004-05. Even so, unemployment has remained at less thanhalf the EU average.
SyriaThe Syrian Government estimates the economy grew by 4.5percent in real terms in 2005, led by the petroleum and agriculturalsectors, which together account for about half of GDP. Economicperformance and the exchange rate on the informal market were hit byinternational political developments following the assassination inFebruary of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-HARIRI and thespecter of international sanctions. Higher crude oil pricescountered declining oil production and exports and helped to narrowthe budget deficit and widen the current account surplus. TheGovernment of Syria has implemented modest economic reforms in thelast few years, including cutting interest rates, opening privatebanks, consolidating some of the multiple exchange rates, andraising prices on some subsidized foodstuffs. Nevertheless, theeconomy remains highly controlled by the government. Long-runeconomic constraints include declining oil production and exports,increasing pressure on water supplies caused by rapid populationgrowth, industrial expansion, and water pollution.
TaiwanTaiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with graduallydecreasing guidance of investment and foreign trade by governmentauthorities. In keeping with this trend, some large,government-owned banks and industrial firms are being privatized.Exports have provided the primary impetus for industrialization. Thetrade surplus is substantial, and foreign reserves are the world'sthird largest. Agriculture contributes less than 2% to GDP, downfrom 32% in 1952. Taiwan is a major investor throughout SoutheastAsia. China has overtaken the US to become Taiwan's largest exportmarket and, in 2005, Taiwan's third-largest source of imports afterJapan and the US. Taiwan has benefited from cross-Strait economicintegration and a sharp increase in world demand to achievesubstantial growth in its export sector and a seven-year-high realGDP growth of 6.1% in 2004. However, excess inventory, higherinternational oil prices, and rising interest rates dampenedconsumption in developed markets, and GDP growth dropped to 3.8% in2005. The service sector, which accounts for 69% of Taiwan's GDP,has continued to expand, while unemployment and inflation rates havedeclined.
TajikistanTajikistan has one of the lowest per capita GDPs amongthe 15 former Soviet republics. Only 6% of the land area is arable;cotton is the most important crop. Mineral resources, varied butlimited in amount, include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten.Industry consists only of a large aluminum plant, hydropowerfacilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industryand food processing. The civil war (1992-97) severely damaged thealready weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline inindustrial and agricultural production. Even though 64% of itspeople continue to live in abject poverty, Tajikistan hasexperienced steady economic growth since 1997, but experienced aslight drop in its growth rate to 8% in 2005 from 10.6% in 2004.Continued privatization of medium and large state-owned enterpriseswould further increase productivity. Tajikistan's economicsituation, however, remains fragile due to uneven implementation ofstructural reforms, weak governance, widespread unemployment, andthe external debt burden. A debt restructuring agreement was reachedwith Russia in December 2002, including a $250 million write-off ofTajikistan's $300 million debt to Russia. Tajikistan ranks third inthe world in terms of water resources per head. A proposedinvestment to finish the hydropower dams Rogun and Sangtuda wouldsubstantially add to electricity production. If finished, Rogun willbe the world's tallest dam.
TanzaniaTanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. Theeconomy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for almosthalf of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the workforce. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivatedcrops to only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featuredthe processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods.The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateraldonors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-dateeconomic infrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Long-term growththrough 2005 featured a pickup in industrial production and asubstantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Recentbanking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth andinvestment. Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomicpolicies supported real GDP growth of more than 6% in 2005.
ThailandWith a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterpriseeconomy, and pro-investment policies, Thailand appears to have fullyrecovered from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis. The country wasone of East Asia's best performers in 2002-04. Boosted by increasedconsumption and strong export growth, the Thai economy grew 6.9% in2003 and 6.1% in 2004 despite a sluggish global economy. Bangkok haspursued preferential trade agreements with a variety of partners inan effort to boost exports and to maintain high growth. In 2004,Thailand and the US began negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement. Inlate December 2004, a major tsunami took 8,500 lives in Thailand andcaused massive destruction of property in the southern provinces ofKrabi, Phangnga, and Phuket. Growth slowed to 4.4% in 2005. Thedownturn can be attributed to high oil prices, weaker demand fromWestern markets, severe drought in rural regions, tsunami-relateddeclines in tourism, and lower consumer confidence. Moreover, theTHAKSIN administration's expansionist economic policies, includingplans for multi-billion-dollar mega-projects in infrastructure andsocial development, has raised concerns about fiscal discipline andthe health of financial institutions. On the positive side, the Thaieconomy performed well beginning in the third quarter of 2005.Export-oriented manufacturing - in particular automobile production- and farm output are driving these gains. In 2006, the economyshould benefit from an influx of investment and a revived tourismsector; however, a possible avian flu epidemic could significantlyharm economic prospects throughout the region.
TogoThis small, sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on bothcommercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employmentfor 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still beimported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of exportearnings, with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo isthe world's fourth-largest producer of phosphate. The government'sdecade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, toimplement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment,and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly.Progress depends on follow-through on privatization, increasedopenness in government financial operations, progress towardlegislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors.Togo is working with donors to write a PRGF that could eventuallylead to a debt reduction plan.
TokelauTokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lackof resources greatly restrain economic development and confineagriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aidfrom New Zealand - about $4 million annually - to maintain publicservices, with annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. Theprincipal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postagestamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted tofamilies from relatives in New Zealand.
TongaTonga, a small, open, South Pacific island economy, has anarrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, coconuts, bananas,and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports makeup two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a highproportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The country remainsdependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communitiesoverseas to offset its trade deficit. Tourism is the second-largestsource of hard currency earnings following remittances. Thegovernment is emphasizing the development of the private sector,especially the encouragement of investment, and is committingincreased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonablysound basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. Highunemployment among the young, a continuing upturn in inflation,pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil serviceexpenditures are major issues facing the government.
Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago, the leading Caribbeanproducer of oil and gas, has earned a reputation as an excellentinvestment site for international businesses. Tourism is a growingsector, although not proportionately as important as in many otherCaribbean islands. The economy benefits from low inflation and agrowing trade surplus. Prospects for growth in 2006 are good asprices for oil, petrochemicals, and liquefied natural gas areexpected to remain high, and foreign direct investment continues togrow to support expanded capacity in the energy sector. Thegovernment is coping with a rise in violent crime.
Tromelin Islandno economic activity
TunisiaTunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural,mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmentalcontrol of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessenedover the past decade with increasing privatization, simplificationof the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Progressivesocial policies also have helped raise living conditions in Tunisiarelative to the region. Real growth slowed to a 15-year low of 1.9%in 2002 because of agricultural drought and lackluster tourism.Better rains in 2003 through 2005, however, helped push GDP growthto about 5% for these years. Tourism also recovered after the end ofcombat operations in Iraq. Tunisia is gradually removing barriers totrade with the EU. Broader privatization, further liberalization ofthe investment code to increase foreign investment, improvements ingovernment efficiency, and reduction of the trade deficit are amongthe challenges ahead.
TurkeyTurkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industryand commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that stillaccounts for more than 35% of employment. It has a strong andrapidly growing private sector, yet the state still plays a majorrole in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. Thelargest industrial sector is textiles and clothing, which accountsfor one-third of industrial employment; it faces stiff competitionin international markets with the end of the global quota system.However, other sectors, notably the automotive and electronicsindustries, are rising in importance within Turkey's export mix.Real GNP growth has exceeded 6% in many years, but this strongexpansion has been interrupted by sharp declines in output in 1994,1999, and 2001. The economy is turning around with theimplementation of economic reforms, and 2004 GDP growth reached 9%.Inflation fell to 7.7% in 2005 - a 30-year low. Despite the strongeconomic gains in 2002-05, which were largely due to renewedinvestor interest in emerging markets, IMF backing, and tighterfiscal policy, the economy is still burdened by a high currentaccount deficit and high debt. The public sector fiscal deficitexceeds 6% of GDP - due in large part to high interest payments,which accounted for about 37% of central government spending in2004. Prior to 2005, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Turkeyaveraged less than $1 billion annually, but further economic andjudicial reforms and prospective EU membership are expected to boostFDI. Privatization sales are currently approaching $21 billion.
TurkmenistanTurkmenistan is a largely desert country with intensiveagriculture in irrigated oases and large gas and oil resources.One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton; formerly it wasthe world's tenth-largest producer. Poor harvests in recent yearshave led to an almost 50% decline in cotton exports. With anauthoritarian ex-Communist regime in power and a tribally basedsocial structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach toeconomic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain itsinefficient economy. Privatization goals remain limited. In1998-2005, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequateexport routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensiveshort-term external debt. At the same time, however, total exportsrose by 20% to 30% per year in 2003-2005, largely because of higherinternational oil and gas prices. In 2005, Ashgabat sought to raisenatural gas export prices to its main customers, Russia and Ukraine,from $44 per thousand cubic meters (tcm) to $66 per tcm. Overallprospects in the near future are discouraging because of widespreadinternal poverty, the burden of foreign debt, the government'sirrational use of oil and gas revenues, and its unwillingness toadopt market-oriented reforms. Turkmenistan's economic statisticsare state secrets, and GDP and other figures are subject to widemargins of error. In particular, the rate of GDP growth is uncertain.
Turks and Caicos IslandsThe Turks and Caicos economy is based ontourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capitalgoods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is theleading source of tourists, accounting for more than half of theannual 93,000 visitors in the late 1990s. Major sources ofgovernment revenue also include fees from offshore financialactivities and customs receipts.
TuvaluTuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group ofnine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineralresources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are theprimary economic activities. Fewer than 1,000 tourists, on average,visit Tuvalu annually. Government revenues largely come from thesale of stamps and coins and remittances from seamen on merchantships abroad. About 1,000 Tuvaluans are being repatriated fromNauru, with the decline of phosphate resources there. Substantialincome is received annually from an international trust fundestablished in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and the UK and supported alsoby Japan and South Korea. Thanks to wise investments andconservative withdrawals, this fund has grown from an initial $17million to over $35 million in 1999. The US Government is also amajor revenue source for Tuvalu because of payments from a 1988treaty on fisheries. In an effort to reduce its dependence onforeign aid, the government is pursuing public sector reforms,including privatization of some government functions and personnelcuts of up to 7%. Tuvalu derives around $1.5 million per year fromthe lease of its ".tv" Internet domain name. With merchandiseexports only a fraction of merchandise imports, continued reliancemust be placed on fishing and telecommunications license fees,remittances from overseas workers, official transfers, and incomefrom overseas investments.
UgandaUganda has substantial natural resources, including fertilesoils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper andcobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy,employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee accounts for the bulkof export revenues. Since 1986, the government - with the support offoreign countries and international agencies - has acted torehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currencyreform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing pricesof petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. The policychanges are especially aimed at dampening inflation and boostingproduction and export earnings. During 1990-2001, the economy turnedin a solid performance based on continued investment in therehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for productionand exports, reduced inflation, gradually improved domesticsecurity, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs. In2000, Uganda qualified for enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries(HIPC) debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club debt reliefworth $145 million. These amounts combined with the original HIPCdebt relief added up to about $2 billion. Growth for 2001-02 wassolid despite continued decline in the price of coffee, Uganda'sprincipal export. Growth in 2003-05 reflected an upturn in Uganda'sexport markets.
UkraineAfter Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away themost important economic component of the former Soviet Union,producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic.Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Sovietagricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantitiesof meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise,its diversified heavy industry supplied the unique equipment (forexample, large diameter pipes) and raw materials to industrial andmining sites (vertical drilling apparatus) in other regions of theformer USSR. Ukraine depends on imports of energy, especiallynatural gas, to meet some 85% of its annual energy requirements.Shortly after independence was ratified in December 1991, theUkrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legalframework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reformwithin the government and the legislature soon stalled reformefforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen toless than 40% of the 1991 level. Loose monetary policies pushedinflation to hyperinflationary levels in late 1993. Ukraine'sdependence on Russia for energy supplies and the lack of significantstructural reform have made the Ukrainian economy vulnerable toexternal shocks. A dispute with Russia over pricing led to atemporary gas cut-off; Ukraine concluded a deal with Russia inJanuary 2006, which almost doubled the price Ukraine pays forRussian gas, and could cost the Ukrainian economy $1.4-2.2 billionand cause GDP growth to fall 3-4%. Ukrainian government officialseliminated most tax and customs privileges in a March 2005 budgetlaw, bringing more economic activity out of Ukraine's large shadoweconomy, but more improvements are needed, including fightingcorruption, developing capital markets, and improving thelegislative framework for businesses. Reforms in the morepolitically sensitive areas of structural reform and landprivatization are still lagging. Outside institutions - particularlythe IMF - have encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope ofreforms. GDP growth was 2.4% in 2005, down from 12.4% in 2004. Thecurrent account surplus reached $2.2 billion in 2005. Theprivatization of the Kryvoryzhstal steelworks in late 2005 produced$4.8 billion in windfall revenue for the government. Some of theproceeds were used to finance the budget deficit, some torecapitalize two state banks, some to retire public debt, and therest may be used to finance future deficits.
United Arab EmiratesThe UAE has an open economy with a high percapita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth isbased on oil and gas output (about 30% of GDP), and the fortunes ofthe economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Sincethe discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, the UAE hasundergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region ofsmall desert principalities to a modern state with a high standardof living. At present levels of production, oil and gas reservesshould last for more than 100 years. The government has increasedspending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is openingup its utilities to greater private sector involvement. Higher oilrevenue, strong liquidity, and cheap credit in 2005 led to a surgein asset prices (shares and real estate) and consumer inflation. Anysharp correction to the UAE's equity markets could damage investorand consumer sentiment and affect bank asset quality. In April 2004,the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA)with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertakenegotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US.
United KingdomThe UK, a leading trading power and financial center,is one of the quintet of trillion dollar economies of WesternEurope. Over the past two decades, the government has greatlyreduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfareprograms. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficientby European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with lessthan 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, andoil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, oneof the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services,particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account byfar for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues todecline in importance. GDP growth slipped in 2001-03 as the globaldownturn, the high value of the pound, and the bursting of the "neweconomy" bubble hurt manufacturing and exports. Output recovered in2004, to 3.2% growth, but fell in 2005, to 1.7%. Despite slowergrowth, the economy is one of the strongest in Europe; inflation,interest rates, and unemployment remain low. The relatively goodeconomic performance has complicated the BLAIR government's effortsto make a case for Britain to join the European Economic andMonetary Union (EMU). Critics point out that the economy is doingwell outside of EMU, and public opinion polls show a majority ofBritons are opposed to the euro. Meantime, the government has beenspeeding up the improvement of education, transport, and healthservices, at a cost in higher taxes and a widening public deficit.
United StatesThe US has the largest and most technologicallypowerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $42,000. Inthis market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firmsmake most of the decisions, and the federal and state governmentsbuy needed goods and services predominantly in the privatemarketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than theircounterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expandcapital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop newproducts. At the same time, they face higher barriers to enter theirrivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets. USfirms are at or near the forefront in technological advances,especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and militaryequipment; their advantage has narrowed since the end of World WarII. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradualdevelopment of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at thebottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills ofthose at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable payraises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975,practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top20% of households. The response to the terrorist attacks of 11September 2001 showed the remarkable resilience of the economy. Thewar in March-April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and thesubsequent occupation of Iraq, required major shifts in nationalresources to the military. The rise in GDP in 2004 and 2005 wasundergirded by substantial gains in labor productivity. HurricaneKatrina caused extensive damage in the Gulf Coast region in August2005, but had a small impact on overall GDP growth for the year.Soaring oil prices in 2005 and 2006 threatened inflation andunemployment, yet the economy continued to grow through mid-2006.Imported oil accounts for about two-thirds of US consumption.Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economicinfrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an agingpopulation, sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation offamily income in the lower economic groups.
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugesno economic activity
UruguayUruguay's well-to-do economy is characterized by anexport-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, andhigh levels of social spending. After averaging growth of 5%annually during 1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a majordownturn, stemming largely from the spillover effects of theeconomic problems of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. Forinstance, in 2001-02 Argentina made massive withdrawals of dollarsdeposited in Uruguayan banks, which led to a plunge in the Uruguayanpeso and a massive rise in unemployment. Total GDP in these fouryears dropped by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year due to thebanking crisis. The unemployment rate rose to nearly 20% in 2002,inflation surged, and the burden of external debt doubled.Cooperation with the IMF helped stem the damage. A debt swap withprivate-sector creditors in 2003 extended the maturity dates onnearly half of Uruguay's then $11.3 billion of public debt andhelped restore public confidence. The economy grew about 10% in 2004as a result of high commodity prices for Uruguayan exports, acompetitive peso, growth in the region, and low internationalinterest rates, but slowed to 6.1% in 2005.
UzbekistanUzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11%consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities.Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter andfifth largest producer; it relies heavily on cotton production asthe major source of export earnings. Other major export earnersinclude gold, natural gas, and oil. Following independence inSeptember 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-stylecommand economy with subsidies and tight controls on production andprices. While aware of the need to improve the investment climate,the government still sponsors measures that often increase, notdecrease, its control over business decisions. A sharp increase inthe inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks ofsociety since independence. In 2003, the government accepted theobligations of Article VIII under the International Monetary Fund(IMF), providing for full currency convertibility. However, strictcurrency controls and tightening of borders have lessened theeffects of convertibility and have also led to some shortages thathave further stifled economic activity. The Central Bank oftendelays or restricts convertibility, especially for consumer goods.Potential investment by Russia and China in Uzbekistan's gas and oilindustry would increase economic growth prospects. In November 2005,Russian President Vladimir PUTIN and Uzbekistan President KARIMOVsigned an "alliance" treaty, which included provisions for economicand business cooperation. Russian businesses have shown increasedinterest in Uzbekistan, especially in mining, telecom, and oil andgas. In December 2005, the Russians opened a "Trade House" tosupport and develop Russian-Uzbek business and economic ties.
VanuatuThis South Pacific island economy is based primarily onsmall-scale agriculture, which provides a living for 65% of thepopulation. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, withabout 50,000 visitors in 2004, are other mainstays of the economy.Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleumdeposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market.Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development ishindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports,vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from mainmarkets and between constituent islands. GDP growth rose less than3% on average in the 1990s. In response to foreign concerns, thegovernment has promised to tighten regulation of its offshorefinancial center. In mid-2002 the government stepped up efforts toboost tourism. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is asecond target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the mainsuppliers of tourists and foreign aid.
VenezuelaVenezuela continues to be highly dependent on thepetroleum sector, accounting for roughly one-third of GDP, around80% of export earnings, and over half of government operatingrevenues. Government revenue also has been bolstered by increasedtax collection, which has surpassed its 2005 collection goal byalmost 50%. Tax revenue is the primary source of non-oil revenue,which accounts for 53% of the 2006 budget. A disastrous two-monthnational oil strike, from December 2002 to February 2003,temporarily halted economic activity. The economy remained indepression in 2003, declining by 9.2% after an 8.9% fall in 2002.Output recovered strongly in 2004-2005, aided by high oil prices andstrong consumption growth. Venezuela continues to be an importantsource of crude oil for the US market. Both inflation andunemployment remain fundamental problems.
VietnamVietnam is a densely-populated, developing country that inthe last 30 years has had to recover from the ravages of war, theloss of financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and therigidities of a centrally-planned economy. Substantial progress wasachieved from 1986 to 1997 in moving forward from an extremely lowlevel of development and significantly reducing poverty. Growthaveraged around 9% per year from 1993 to 1997. The 1997 Asianfinancial crisis highlighted the problems in the Vietnamese economyand temporarily allowed opponents of reform to slow progress towarda market-oriented economy. GDP growth averaged 6.8% per year from1997 to 2004 even against the background of the Asian financialcrisis and a global recession, and growth hit 8% in 2005. Since2001, however, Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed theircommitment to economic liberalization and international integration.They have moved to implement the structural reforms needed tomodernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-drivenindustries. Vietnam's membership in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)and entry into force of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement inDecember 2001 have led to even more rapid changes in Vietnam's tradeand economic regime. Vietnam's exports to the US doubled in 2002 andagain in 2003. Vietnam hopes to become a member of the WTO in 2006.Among other benefits, accession would allow Vietnam to takeadvantage of the phase out of the Agreement on Textiles andClothing, which eliminated quotas on textiles and clothing for WTOpartners on 1 January 2005. Agriculture's share of economic outputhas continued to shrink, from about 25% in 2000 to 21% in 2005. Deeppoverty, defined as a percent of the population living under $1 perday, has declined significantly and is now smaller than that ofChina, India, and the Philippines. Vietnam is working to promote jobcreation to keep up with the country's high population growth rate.However, high levels of inflation have prompted Vietnameseauthorities to tighten monetary and fiscal policies.
Virgin IslandsTourism is the primary economic activity, accountingfor 80% of GDP and employment. The islands normally host 2 millionvisitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleumrefining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watchassembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food beingimported. International business and financial services are smallbut growing components of the economy. One of the world's largestpetroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject tosubstantial damage from storms. The government is working to improvefiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the privatesector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and toprotect the environment.
Wake IslandEconomic activity is limited to providing services tomilitary personnel and contractors located on the island. All foodand manufactured goods must be imported.
Wallis and FutunaThe economy is limited to traditional subsistenceagriculture, with about 80% labor force earnings from agriculture(coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing.About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues comefrom French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights toJapan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriateworkers in New Caledonia.
West BankThe West Bank - the larger of the two areas under thePalestinian Authority (PA)- has experienced a general decline ineconomic growth and a degradation in economic conditions made worsesince the second intifadah began in September 2000. The downturn hasbeen largely the result of the Israeli closure policies - theimposition of border closures in response to security incidents inIsrael - which disrupted labor and commodity market relationships.In 2001, and even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measuresin PA areas resulted in the destruction of much capital plant, thedisruption of administrative structure, and widespread businessclosures. Including the Gaza Strip, the UN estimates that more than100,000 Palestinians out of the 125,000 who used to work in Israelisettlements, or in joint industrial zones, have lost their jobs.International aid of $2 billion to the West Bank and Gaza Strip in2004 prevented the complete collapse of the economy and allowed somereforms in the government's financial operations. In 2005, highunemployment and limited trade opportunities, due to continuedclosures both within the West Bank and externally, stymied growth.
Western SaharaWestern Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing,and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for thepopulation. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainableagricultural production, and most of the food for the urbanpopulation must be imported. All trade and other economic activitiesare controlled by the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interestsin 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of WesternSahara, which has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards ofliving in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level.
WorldGlobal output rose by 4.4% in 2005, led by China (9.3%), India(7.6%), and Russia (5.9%). The other 14 successor nations of theUSSR and the other old Warsaw Pact nations again experienced widelydivergent growth rates; the three Baltic nations continued as strongperformers, in the 7% range of growth. Growth results posted by themajor industrial countries varied from no gain for Italy to a stronggain by the United States (3.5%). The developing nations also variedin their growth results, with many countries facing populationincreases that erode gains in output. Externally, the nation-state,as a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losingcontrol over international flows of people, goods, funds, andtechnology. Internally, the central government often finds itscontrol over resources slipping as separatist regional movements -typically based on ethnicity - gain momentum, e.g., in many of thesuccessor states of the former Soviet Union, in the formerYugoslavia, in India, in Iraq, in Indonesia, and in Canada.Externally, the central government is losing decisionmaking powersto international bodies, notably the EU. In Western Europe,governments face the difficult political problem of channelingresources away from welfare programs in order to increase investmentand strengthen incentives to seek employment. The addition of 80million people each year to an already overcrowded globe isexacerbating the problems of pollution, desertification,underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of their owninternal problems and priorities, the industrialized countriesdevote insufficient resources to deal effectively with the poorerareas of the world, which, at least from an economic point of view,are becoming further marginalized. The introduction of the euro asthe common currency of much of Western Europe in January 1999, whilepaving the way for an integrated economic powerhouse, poses economicrisks because of varying levels of income and cultural and politicaldifferences among the participating nations. The terrorist attackson the US on 11 September 2001 accentuated a further growing risk toglobal prosperity, illustrated, for example, by the reallocation ofresources away from investment to anti-terrorist programs. Theopening of war in March 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraqadded new uncertainties to global economic prospects. After thecoalition victory, the complex political difficulties and the higheconomic cost of establishing domestic order in Iraq became majorglobal problems that continued into 2006.
YemenYemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, hasreported meager growth since 2000. Its economic fortunes dependmostly on oil. Oil revenues increased in 2005 due to higher prices.Yemen was on an IMF-supported structural adjustment program designedto modernize and streamline the economy, which led to substantialforeign debt relief and restructuring. However, governmentdedication to the program waned in 2001 for political reasons. Yemenis struggling to control excessive spending and rampant corruption.The people have grown increasingly upset over the economicsituation. In July 2005, a reduction in fuel subsidies sparkedriots; over 20 Yemenis were killed and hundreds were injured.
ZambiaDespite progress in privatization and budgetary reform,Zambia's economic growth remains somewhat below the 6%-7% needed toreduce poverty significantly. Privatization of government-ownedcopper mines relieved the government from covering mammoth lossesgenerated by the industry and greatly improved the chances forcopper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth.Copper output has increased steadily since 2004, due to highercopper prices and the opening of new mines. The maize harvest wasagain good in 2005, helping boost GDP and agricultural exports.Cooperation continues with international bodies on programs toreduce poverty, including a new lending arrangement with the IMF inthe second quarter of 2004. A tighter monetary policy will help cutinflation, but Zambia still has a serious problem with high publicdebt.
ZimbabweThe government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety ofdifficult economic problems as it struggles with an unsustainablefiscal deficit, an overvalued exchange rate, soaring inflation, andbare shelves. Its 1998-2002 involvement in the war in the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo, for example, drained hundreds of millions ofdollars from the economy. Badly needed support from the IMF has beensuspended because of the government's arrears on past loans, whichit began repaying in 2005. The official annual inflation rate rosefrom 32% in 1998, to 133% at the end of 2004, and 585% at the end of2005, although private sector estimates put the figure much higher.Meanwhile, the official exchange rate fell from 24 Zimbabweandollars per US dollar in 1998 to 96,000 in mid-January 2006. Thegovernment's land reform program, characterized by chaos andviolence, has badly damaged the commercial farming sector, thetraditional source of exports and foreign exchange and the providerof 400,000 jobs, turning Zimbabwe into a net importer of foodproducts.
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@2117 Pipelines (km)
Afghanistangas 466 km (2006)
Albaniagas 339 km; oil 207 km (2006)
Algeriacondensate 1,344 km; gas 85,946 km; liquid petroleum gas2,213 km; oil 6,496 km (2005)
Angolagas 235 km; liquid petroleum gas 122 km; oil 867 km;oil/gas/water 5 km (2006)
Argentinagas 29,804 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 10,373 km;refined products 8,540 km; unknown (oil/water) 13 km (2006)
Armeniagas 2,002 km (2006)
Australiacondensate/gas 546 km; gas 31,323 km; liquid petroleum gas240 km; oil 4,808 km; oil/gas/water 110 km (2006)
Austriagas 2,722 km; oil 663 km; refined products 149 km (2006)
Azerbaijangas 3,190 km; oil 2,436 km (2006)
Bahraingas 20 km; oil 52 km (2006)
Bangladeshgas 2,604 km (2006)
Belarusgas 5,223 km; oil 2,321 km; refined products 1,686 km (2006)
Belgiumgas 1,561 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2006)
Boliviagas 4,860 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,475 km;refined products 1,589 km; unknown (oil/water) 247 km (2006)
Brazilcondensate/gas 244 km; gas 11,669 km; liquid petroleum gas341 km; oil 5,212 km; refined products 4,755 km (2006)
Bruneigas 672 km; oil 463 km (2006)
Bulgariagas 2,505 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2006)
Burmagas 2,224 km; oil 558 km (2006)
Cameroongas 70 km; liquid petroleum gas 9 km; oil 1,107 km (2006)
Canadacrude and reined oil 23,564 km; liquid petroleum gas 74,980km (2005)
Chadoil 205 km (2006)
Chilegas 2,567 km; gas/lpg 42 km; liquid petroleum gas 539 km; oil1,003 km; refined products 757 km; unknown (oil/water) 97 km (2006)
Chinagas 22,664 km; oil 15,256 km; refined products 6,106 km (2006)
Colombiagas 4,360 km; oil 6,140 km; refined products 3,158 km (2006)
Congo, Democratic Republic of thegas 54 km; oil 78 km (2006)
Congo, Republic of the gas 89 km; liquid petroleum gas 4 km; oil 744 km (2006)
Costa Ricarefined products 242 km (2006)
Cote d'Ivoirecondensate 109 km; gas 240 km; oil 112 km (2006)
Croatiagas 1,340 km; oil 583 km (2006)
Cubagas 49 km; oil 230 km (2006)
Czech Republicgas 7,010 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km(2006)
Denmarkcondensate 12 km; gas 3,931 km; oil 626 km; oil/gas/water 2km (2006)
Ecuadorextra heavy crude 578 km; gas 71 km; oil 1,386 km; refinedproducts 1,185 km (2006)
Egyptcondensate 464 km; condensate/gas 94 km; gas 6,021 km; liquidpetroleum gas 897 km; oil 5,120 km; oil/gas/water 36 km; refinedproducts 897 km (2006)
Equatorial Guinea condensate 46 km; condensate/gas 5 km; gas 47 km; oil 31 km (2006)
Estoniagas 859 km (2006)
Finlandgas 694 km (2006)
Francegas 14,588 km; oil 3,024 km; refined products 4,889 km (2006)
Gabongas 272 km; oil 1,354 km (2006)
Georgiagas 1,349 km; oil 1,010 km (2006)
Germanycondensate 37 km; gas 25,035 km; oil 3,546 km; refinedproducts 3,827 km (2006)
Ghanaoil 13 km; refined products 316 km (2006)
Greecegas 1,166 km; oil 94 km (2006)
Guatemalaoil 480 km (2006)
Hungarygas 4,397 km; oil 990 km; refined products 335 km (2006)
Indiacondensate/gas 8 km; gas 5,184 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,993km; oil 6,500 km; refined products 6,152 km (2006)
Indonesiacondensate 944 km; condensate/gas 135 km; gas 9,175 km;oil 7,684 km; oil/gas/water 89 km; refined products 1,367 km (2006)
Irancondensate 7 km; condensate/gas 397 km; gas 17,099 km; liquidpetroleum gas 570 km; oil 8,521 km; refined products 7,808 km (2006)
Iraqgas 2,228 km; liquid petroleum gas 918 km; oil 5,506 km;refined products 1,637 km (2006)
Irelandgas 1,728 km (2006)
Israelgas 193 km; oil 442 km; refined products 261 km (2006)
Italygas 17,589 km; oil 1,136 km (2006)
Japangas 8,015 km; oil 170 km; oil/gas/water 60 km (2006)
Jordangas 426 km; oil 49 km (2006)
Kazakhstancondensate 658 km; gas 11,019 km; oil 10,338 km; refinedproducts 1,095 km (2006)
Kenyarefined products 894 km (2006)
Korea, Northoil 154 km (2006)
Korea, Southgas 1,482 km; refined products 827 km (2006)
Kuwaitgas 269 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2006)
Kyrgyzstangas 254 km; oil 16 km (2006)
Laosrefined products 540 km (2006)
Latviagas 1,097 km; oil 82 km; refined products 415 km (2006)
Lebanongas 43 km (2006)
Libyacondensate 882 km; gas 3,481 km; oil 6,916 km (2006)
Liechtensteingas 20 km (2006)
Lithuaniagas 1,696 km; oil 228 km; refined products 121 km (2006)
Luxembourggas 155 km (2006)
Macedoniagas 268 km; oil 120 km (2006)
Malaysiacondensate 282 km; gas 5,372 km; oil 1,715 km;oil/gas/water 19 km; refined products 114 km (2006)
Mexicogas 22,705 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,875 km; oil 8,688 km;oil/gas/water 228 km; refined products 6,520 km (2006)
Moldovagas 606 km (2006)
Moroccogas 715 km; oil 285 km (2006)
Mozambiquegas 918 km; refined products 294 km (2006)
Netherlandscondensate 81 km; gas 7,229 km; oil 578 km; refinedproducts 716 km (2006)
New Zealandcondensate 224 km; gas 1,693 km; liquid petroleum gas 45km; oil 280 km; refined products 288 km (2006)
Nicaraguaoil 54 km (2006)
Nigeriacondensate 126 km; gas 2,812 km; liquid petroleum gas 125km; oil 4,278 km; refined products 3,517 km (2006)
Norwaycondensate 508 km; gas 5,910 km; oil 2,557 km; oil/gas/water746 km (2006)
Omangas 4,072 km; oil 3,405 km (2006)
Pakistangas 10,257 km; oil 2,001 km (2006)
Papua New Guineaoil 264 km (2006)
Perugas 983 km; gas/lpg 61 km; liquid natural gas 106 km; liquidpetroleum gas 517 km; oil 1,754 km; refined products 13 km (2006)
Philippinesgas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 105 km (2006)
Polandgas 13,552 km; oil 1,384 km; refined products 777 km (2006)
Portugalgas 1,099 km; oil 8 km; refined products 174 km (2006)
Qatarcondensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquidpetroleum gas 87 km; oil 844 km (2006)
Romaniagas 3,508 km; oil 2,427 km (2006)
Russiacondensate 122 km; gas 156,285 km; oil 72,283 km; refinedproducts 13,658 km (2006)
Saudi Arabiacondensate 212 km; gas 1,880 km; liquid petroleum gas1,183 km; oil 4,531 km; refined products 1,150 km (2006)
Senegalgas 43 km (2006)
Serbiagas 3,177 km; oil 393 km (2006)
Singaporegas 139 km; refined products 8 km (2006)
Slovakiagas 6,769 km; oil 416 km (2006)
Sloveniagas 2,526 km; oil 11 km (2006)
South Africacondensate 100 km; gas 1,062 km; oil 966 km; refinedproducts 1,354 km (2006)
Spaingas 7,962 km; oil 622 km; refined products 3,447 km (2006)
Sudangas 156 km; oil 3,930 km; refined products 1,613 km (2006)
Surinameoil 51 km (2006)
Swedengas 798 km (2006)
Switzerlandgas 1,831 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2006)
Syriagas 2,764 km; oil 2,000 km (2006)
Taiwancondensate 25 km; gas 661 km (2006)
Tajikistangas 549 km; oil 38 km (2006)
Tanzaniagas 254 km; oil 872 km (2006)
Thailandgas 3,760 km; refined products 379 km (2006)
Trinidad and Tobago condensate 253 km; gas 1,278 km; oil 571 km (2006)
Tunisiagas 2,945 km; oil 1,227 km; refined products 351 km (2006)
Turkeygas 4,621 km; oil 3,543 km (2006)
Turkmenistangas 6,441 km; oil 1,361 km (2006)
Ukrainegas 19,951 km; oil 4,514 km; refined products 4,211 km (2006)
United Arab Emiratescondensate 520 km; gas 2,580 km; liquidpetroleum gas 300 km; oil 2,950 km; oil/gas/water 5 km; refinedproducts 156 km (2006)
United Kingdomcondensate 565 km; condensate/gas 6 km; gas 21,575km; liquid petroleum gas 59 km; oil 5,094 km; oil/gas/water 161 km;refined products 4,444 km (2006)
United Statespetroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km(2003)
Uruguaygas 257 km; oil 160 km (2006)
Uzbekistangas 9,594 km; oil 868 km (2006)
Venezuelaextra heavy crude 992 km; gas 5,369 km; oil 7,607 km;refined products 1,681 km; unknown (oil/water) 141 km (2006)
Vietnamcondensate/gas 432 km; gas 163 km; oil 50 km; refinedproducts 206 km (2006)
Yemengas 71 km; liquid petroleum gas 22 km; oil 1,284 km (2006)
Zambiaoil 771 km (2006)
Zimbabwerefined products 261 km (2006)
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@2118 Political parties and leaders
Afghanistannote - includes only political parties approved by theMinistry of Justice: Afghan Millat [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; DeAfghanistan De Solay Ghorzang Gond [Shahnawaz TANAI]; De AfghanistanDe Solay Mili Islami Gond [Shah Mahmood Polal ZAI]; Harakat-e-IslamiAfghanistan [Mohammad Asif MOHSINEE];Hezb-e-Aarman-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Iihaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE];Hezb-e-Aazadee Afghanistan [Abdul MALIK]; Hezb-e-Adalat-e-IslamiAfghanistan [Mohammad Kabeer MARZBAN]; Hezb-e-Afghanistan-e-Wahid[Mohammad Wasil RAHEEMEE]; Hezb-e-Afghan Watan Islami Gond;Hezb-e-Congra-e-Mili Afghanistan [Latif PEDRAM];Hezb-e-Falah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad ZAREEF];Hezb-e-Hambastagee Mili Jawanan-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad JamilKARZAI]; Hezb-e-Hamnbatagee-e-Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq NEMAT];Hezb-e-Harakat-e-Mili Wahdat-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Nadir AATASH];Hezb-e-Harak-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ilhaj Said HssainANWARY]; Hezb-e-Ifazat Az Uqoq-e-Bashar Wa Inkishaf-e-Afghanistan[Baryalai NASRATEE]; Hezb-e-Istiqlal-e-Afghanistan [Dr. Gh. FarooqNIJZRABEE]; Hezb-e-Jamhoree Khwahan [Sibghatullah SANJAR];Hezb-e-Kar Wa Tawsiha-e-Afghanistan [Zulfiar OMID];Hezb-e-Libral-e-Aazadee Khwa-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ajmal SOHAIL];Hezb-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul Rasheed AARYAN]; Hezb-e-MiliWahdat-e-Aqwam-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANEE];Hezb-e-Nuhzhat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOUD];Hezb-e-Paiwand-e-Mili Afghanistan [Said Mansoor NADIRI];Hezb-e-Rastakhaiz-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Said ZAHIR];Hezb-e-Refah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASEEQ];Hezb-e-Risalat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Noor Aqa ROEEN];Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ];Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mili Wa Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad UsmanSALIGZADA]; Hezb-e-Sulh-e-Mili Islami Aqwam-e-Afghanistan [AbdulQahir SHARYATEE]; Hezb-e-Sulh Wa Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [AbdulQadir IMAMEE]; Hezb-e-Tafahum-e-Wa Democracy Afghanistan [AhamadSHAHEEN]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad KarimKHALILI]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [UstadMohammad MOHAQQEQ]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul RasheedJALILI]; Jamahat-ul-Dahwat ilal Qurhan-wa-Sunat-ul-Afghanistan[Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Jombesh-e Milli [Abdul RashidDOSTAM]; Mahaz-e-Mili Islami Afghanistan [Said Ahmad GAILANEE];Majmah-e-Mili Fahaleen-e-Sulh-e-Afghanistan [Shams ul Haq NoorSHAMS]; Nuhzat-e-Aazadee Wa Democracy Afghanistan [Abdul RaqeebJawid KUHISTANEE]; Nuhzat-e-Hambastagee Mili Afghanistan [Peer SaidIshaq GAILANEE]; Sazman-e-Islami Afghanistan-e-Jawan [Siad JawadHUSSAINEE]; Tahreek Wahdat-e-Mili [Sultan Mahmood DHAZI] (30 Sep2004)
AlbaniaAgrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI];Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nikolle LESI]; Communist Party ofAlbania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP[Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; LegalityMovement Party or PLL [Ekrem SPAHIU]; Liberal Union Party or PBL[Arjan STAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or BNK[Adriatik ALIMADHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Partyof National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQIRI]; Renewed Democratic Partyor PDRN [Dashamir SHEHI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU];Social Democracy Party or PDS [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Partyor PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI[Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Union for HumanRights Party or PBDNj [Vangjel DULE]
AlgeriaAlgerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; NationalDemocratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [AhmedOUYAHIA, secretary general]; Islamic Salvation Front or FIS(outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ, Dr. Abassi MADANI, Rabeh KEBIR];National Entente Movement or MEN [Ali BOUKHAZNA]; NationalLiberation Front or FLN [Abdelaziz BELKHADEM, secretary general];National Reform Movement or Islah (formerly MRN) [AbdellahDJABALLAH]; National Renewal Party or PRA [Yacine TERKMANE];Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for Culture andDemocracy or RCD [Said SADI]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahdaMovement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine AitAHMED, secretary general]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [AhmedKHELIL]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boudjerra SOLTANI];Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUN]note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enactedin March 1997
American SamoaDemocratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party[Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO]
AndorraAndorran Democratic Center Party or CDA (formerly DemocraticParty or PD); Century 21 or S21 [Enric TARRADO]; Liberal Party ofAndorra or PLA (formerly Liberal Union or UL) [Albert PINTAT];Social Democratic Party or PS (formerly part of National DemocraticGroup or AND) [Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY]