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 10% in 2006.Agricultural production remains Sudan's most important sector,employing 80% of the work force, contributing 35% 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. Bidding on these new offshore blocks wascompleted in July 2006.
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 more than nine-tenths of its importsand to which it sends 60% of its exports. Customs duties from theSouthern African Customs Union and worker remittances from SouthAfrica substantially supplement domestically earned income. Thegovernment 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 1% of GDP and2% of employment. The government's commitment to fiscal disciplineresulted in a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, which was cutby more than half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown,declining revenue, and increased spending. The Swedish central bank(the Riksbank) focuses on price stability with its inflation targetof 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003, but picked up during2004-06. 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 the economy 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 stagnated duringthe 2001-03 period, improved during 2004-05 to 1.8% annually and to2.9% in 2006. Even so, unemployment has remained at less than halfthe EU average.
SyriaThe Syrian economy grew by an estimated 2.9% in real terms in2006, led by the petroleum and agricultural sectors, which togetheraccount for about one-half of GDP. Higher crude oil prices countereddeclining oil production and exports and led to higher budgetary andexport receipts. Total foreign assets of the Central Bank anddomestic banking system rose to about $20 billion in 2006, and thegovernment strengthened the private sector foreign exchange rate byabout 7 percent from the start of the year. The Government of Syriahas implemented modest economic reforms in the past few years,including cutting interest rates, opening private banks,consolidating some of the multiple exchange rates, and raisingprices on some subsidized foodstuffs. Nevertheless, the economyremains highly controlled by the government. Long-run economicconstraints include declining oil production and exports, weakinvestment, and increasing pressure on water supplies caused byheavy use in agriculture, rapid population growth, industrialexpansion, 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. Theisland runs a trade surplus, and foreign reserves are the world'sthird largest. Despite restrictions cross-strait links, China hasovertaken the US to become Taiwan's largest export market and, in2006, its second-largest source of imports after Japan. China isalso the island's number one destination for foreign directinvestment. Strong trade performance in 2006 pushed Taiwan's GDPgrowth rate above 4%, and unemployment is below 4%. Consumerspending recovered following a slowdown early in 2006, when bankstightened lending to address a sharp increase in delinquent consumerdebt.
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. While Tajikistan hasexperienced steady economic growth since 1997, nearly two-thirds ofthe population continue to live in abject poverty. Economic growthreached 10.6% in 2004, but dropped to 8% in 2005, and to 7% in 2006.Tajikistan's economic situation, however, remains fragile due touneven implementation of structural reforms, weak governance,widespread unemployment, and the external debt burden. Continuedprivatization of medium and large state-owned enterprises couldincrease productivity. 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 I and IIwould substantially add to electricity production, which could beexported for profit. If finished, Rogun will be the world's tallestdam. In 2006, Tajikistan was the recipient of substantial ShanghaiCooperation Organization infrastructure development credits toimprove its roads and electricity transmission network.
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 nearly 6% in 2006.
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 lateDecember 2004, a major tsunami took 8,500 lives in Thailand andcaused massive destruction of property in the southern provinces ofKrabi, Phangnga, and Phuket. In 2006, investment stagnated asinvestors, spooked by the Thaksin administration's politicalproblems, stayed on the sidelines. The military coup in Septemberbrought in a new economic team, led by the former central bankgovernor. In December, the Thai Board of Investment reported thevalue of investment applications from January to November haddeclined by 27% year-on-year. On the positive side, exports haveperformed at record levels, rising nearly 17% in 2006.Export-oriented manufacturing - in particular automobile production- and farm output are driving these gains.
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 a growing tradesurplus. Economic growth in 2006 reached 12.6% as prices for oil,petrochemicals, and liquefied natural gas remained high, and foreigndirect investment continued to grow to support expanded capacity inthe energy sector. The government is coping with a rise in violentcrime.
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.Increased rain helped to push GDP growth to an average rate of 5% in2003-06. However, a recession in agriculture, weak expansion in thetourism and textile sectors, and increasing import costs due torising world energy prices cut growth to 4% in 2006. Tunisia isgradually removing barriers to trade with the EU. Broaderprivatization, further liberalization of the investment code toincrease foreign investment, improvements in government efficiency,and reduction of the trade deficit are among the 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%,followed by roughly 5% annual growth in 2005-06. Inflation fell to7.7% in 2005 - a 30-year low, but climbed back to 9.8% in 2006.Despite the strong economic gains in 2002-06, which were largely dueto renewed investor interest in emerging markets, IMF backing, andtighter fiscal policy, the economy is still burdened by a highcurrent account deficit and high debt. The public sector fiscaldeficit exceeds 6% of GDP - due in large part to high interestpayments, which accounted for about 37% of central governmentspending in 2004. Prior to 2005, foreign direct investment (FDI) inTurkey averaged less than $1 billion annually, but further economicand judicial reforms and prospective EU membership are expected toboost FDI. Privatization sales are currently approaching $21billion. Oil began to flow through the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipelinein May 2006, marking a major milestone that will bring up to 1billion barrels per day from the Caspian to market.
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 an average of 15% per year in 2003-06, largely because ofhigher international oil and gas prices. In 2006, Ashgabat raisedits natural gas export prices to its main customer, Russia, from $66per thousand cubic meters (tcm) to $100 per tcm. Overall prospectsin the near future are discouraging because of widespread internalpoverty, a poor educational system, government misuse of oil and gasrevenues, and Ashgabat's unwillingness to adopt market-orientedreforms. Turkmenistan's economic statistics are state secrets, andGDP and other figures are subject to wide margins of error. Inparticular, the rate of GDP growth is uncertain.
Turks and Caicos IslandsThe Turks and Caicos economy is based ontourism, offshore financial services, and fishing. Most capitalgoods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is theleading source of tourists, accounting for more than three-quartersof the 175,000 visitors that arrived in 2004. 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 2003-06 reflected an upturn in Uganda'sexport markets.
Ukraine After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most 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 Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied the unique equipment (for example, large diameter pipes) and raw materials to industrial and mining sites (vertical drilling apparatus) in other regions of the former USSR. Ukraine depends on imports of energy, especially natural gas, to meet some 85% of its annual energy requirements. Shortly after independence was ratified in December 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Loose monetary policies pushed inflation to hyperinflationary levels in late 1993. Ukraine's dependence on Russia for energy supplies and the lack of significant structural reform have made the Ukrainian economy vulnerable to external shocks. A dispute with Russia over pricing in late 2005 and early 2006 led to a temporary gas cut-off; Ukraine concluded a deal with Russia in January 2006 that almost doubled the price Ukraine pays for Russian gas, and could cost the Ukrainian economy $1.4-2.2 billion. Ukrainian Government officials eliminated most tax and customs privileges in a March 2005 budget law, bringing more economic activity out of Ukraine's large shadow economy, but more improvements are needed, including fighting corruption, developing capital markets, and improving the legislative framework for businesses. Reforms in the more politically sensitive areas of structural reform and land privatization are still lagging. Outside institutions - particularly the IMF - have encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms. GDP growth was 6% in 2006, up from 2.4% in 2005 mainly because of high steel prices worldwide and strong demand for Ukrainian goods. The privatization of the Kryvoryzhstal steelworks in late 2005 produced $4.8 billion in windfall revenue for the government. Some of the proceeds were used to finance the budget deficit, some to recapitalize two state banks, some to retire public debt, and the rest may be used to finance future deficits. Although the economy is likely to expand in 2007, long-term growth could be threatened by the government's plans to reinstate tax, trade, and customs privileges and to maintain restrictive grain export quotas.
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. The government has increased spending on job creation andinfrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greaterprivate sector involvement. In April 2004, the UAE signed a Tradeand Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with Washington and inNovember 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free TradeAgreement (FTA) with the US. Higher oil revenue, strong liquidity,and cheap credit in 2005-06 led to a surge in asset prices (sharesand real estate) and consumer inflation. Rising prices areincreasing the operating costs for businesses in the UAE anddegrading the UAE's allure to foreign investors. Dependence on alarge expatriate workforce and oil are significant long-termchallenges to the UAE's economy.
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, then slowed to 1.7% in 2005 and 2.6% in 2006.The economy is one of the strongest in Europe; inflation, interestrates, and unemployment remain low. The relatively good economicperformance has complicated the BLAIR government's efforts to make acase for Britain to join the European Economic and Monetary Union(EMU). Critics point out that the economy is doing well outside ofEMU, and public opinion polls show a majority of Britons are opposedto the euro. Meantime, the government has been speeding up theimprovement of education, transport, and health services, at a costin 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 $43,500. 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 2004-06 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 year-end2006. 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 12% in 2004as a result of high commodity prices for Uruguayan exports, acompetitive peso, growth in the region, and low internationalinterest rates, and it continued to grow nearly 7% annually in 2005and 2006.
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, withmore than 60,000 visitors in 2005, are other mainstays of theeconomy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no knownpetroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to thelocal market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economicdevelopment is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodityexports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances frommain markets and between constituent islands. GDP growth rose lessthan 3% on average in the 1990s. In response to foreign concerns,the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshorefinancial center. In mid-2002 the government stepped up efforts toboost tourism through improved air connections, resort development,and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially livestockfarming, is a second target for growth. Australia and New Zealandare the main suppliers of tourists and foreign aid.
VenezuelaVenezuela remains highly dependent on oil revenues, whichaccount for roughly 90% of export earnings, more than 50% of thefederal budget revenues, and around 30% of GDP. Taxcollection-Venezuela's primary source of non-oil revenue-is expectedto surpass $23 billion in 2006, exceeding the yearend collectiongoal by more than 20%. A nationwide strike between December 2002 andFebruary 2003 had far-reaching economic consequences - real GDPdeclined by around 9% in 2002 and 8% in 2003 - but economic outputsince then has recovered strongly. Fueled by higher oil prices,record government spending helped to boost GDP growth in 2004 and2005 to approximately 18% and 11%, respectively. Economic growth in2006 reached around 9%. This spending, combined with recent minimumwage hikes and improved access to domestic credit, has fueled aconsumption boom - car sales in 2006 increased by around 70% - buthas come at the cost of higher inflation. Despite governmentattempts to withdraw liquidity from the economy, Venezuela's moneysupply set a record in June 2006, approximately 70% higher than theprevious year. Imports have also jumped significantly.
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 and 7.8% in2006. Since 2001, however, Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmedtheir commitment to economic liberalization and internationalintegration. They have moved to implement the structural reformsneeded to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive,export-driven industries. Vietnam's membership in the ASEAN FreeTrade Area (AFTA) and entry into force of the US-Vietnam BilateralTrade Agreement in December 2001 have led to even more rapid changesin Vietnam's trade and economic regime. Vietnam's exports to the USdoubled in 2002 and again in 2003. Vietnam joined the World TradeOrganization in January 2007. This should provide an important boostto the economy and should help to ensure the continuation ofliberalizing reforms. Among other benefits, accession will allowVietnam to take advantage of the phase out of the Agreement onTextiles and Clothing, which eliminated quotas on textiles andclothing for WTO partners on 1 January 2005. Agriculture's share ofeconomic output has continued to shrink, from about 25% in 2000 to20% in 2006. Deep poverty, defined as a percent of the populationliving under $1 per day, has declined significantly and is nowsmaller than that of China, India, and the Philippines. Vietnam isworking to promote job creation to keep up with the country's highpopulation growth rate. However, high levels of inflation haveprompted Vietnamese authorities to tighten monetary and fiscalpolicies. Hanoi is targeting an economic growth rate between 7.5 and8% over the next five years.
Virgin IslandsTourism is the primary economic activity, accountingfor 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.6 millionvisitors in 2005. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleumrefining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watchassembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is atSaint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food beingimported. International business and financial services are smallbut growing components of the economy. The islands are vulnerable 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% of 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 conditions since the second intifadah began in September2000. The downturn has been largely the result of Israeli closurepolicies - the imposition of border closures in response to securityincidents in Israel - which disrupted labor and tradingrelationships. In 2001, and even more severely in 2002, Israelimilitary measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction ofcapital, the disruption of administrative structures, and widespreadbusiness closures. International aid of at least $1.14 billion tothe West Bank and Gaza Strip in 2004 prevented the complete collapseof the economy and allowed some reforms in the government'sfinancial operations. In 2005, high unemployment and limited tradeopportunities - due to continued closures both within the West Bankand externally - stymied growth. Israel's and the internationalcommunity's financial embargo of the PA since HAMAS took office inMarch 2006 has interrupted the provision of PA social services andthe payment of PA salaries.
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. Incomes in Western Sahara aresubstantially below the Moroccan level. The Moroccan Governmentcontrols all trade and other economic activities in Western Sahara.Morocco and the European Union signed a four-year agreement in July2006 allowing European vessels to fish off the coast of Morocco,including the disputed waters off the coast of Western Sahara.Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore foroil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered thePolisario. However, in 2006, the Polisario awarded similarexploration licenses in the disputed territory, which would comeinto force if Morocco and the Polisario resolve their dispute overWestern Sahara.
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 through 2006.
YemenYemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world,reported average annual growth of 3.5% from 2000 through 2006. Itseconomic fortunes depend mostly on oil. Oil revenues probablyincreased in 2006 as a result of higher prices. Yemen was on anIMF-supported structural adjustment program designed to modernizeand streamline the economy, which led to substantial foreign debtrelief and restructuring. However, government dedication to theprogram waned in 2001 for political reasons. Yemen is struggling tocontrol excessive spending and rampant corruption. Yemen isdependent on foreign aid to finance its budget deficits anddevelopment projects. In November, Yemen secured $4.7 billion inassistance from Arabian Gulf and Western donors.
ZambiaDespite progress in privatization and budgetary reform,Zambia's economic growth in 2005-06 remained somewhat below the6%-7% per year needed to reduce poverty significantly. Privatizationof government-owned copper mines relieved the government fromcovering mammoth losses generated by the industry and greatlyimproved the chances for copper mining to return to profitabilityand spur economic growth. Copper output has increased steadily since2004, due to higher copper prices and the opening of new mines. Themaize harvest was again good in 2005, helping boost GDP andagricultural exports. Cooperation continues with internationalbodies on programs to reduce poverty, including a new lendingarrangement with the IMF in the second quarter of 2004. A tightermonetary policy will help cut inflation, but Zambia still has aserious problem with high public debt.
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 drained hundreds of millions of dollars fromthe economy. The government's land reform program, characterized bychaos and violence, has badly damaged the commercial farming sector,the traditional source of exports and foreign exchange and theprovider of 400,000 jobs, turning Zimbabwe into a net importer offood products. Badly needed support from the IMF has been suspendedbecause of the government's arrears on past loans, which it beganrepaying in 2005. The official annual inflation rate rose from 32%in 1998, to 133% in 2004, 585% in 2005, and approached 1000% in2006, although private sector estimates put the figure much higher.Meanwhile, the official exchange rate fell from approximately 1(revalued) Zimbabwean dollar per US dollar in 2003 to 250 per USdollar in August 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 refined 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)
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@2118 Political parties and leaders
Afghanistannote - includes only political parties approved by theMinistry of Justice; De Afghan Watan Islami Gond [Mohammad OsmanSALEKZADA]; De Afghanistan De Mili Mubarizeeno Islami Gond [AmanatNINGARHAREE]; De Afghanistan De Mili Wahdat Wolesi Tahreek [AbdulHakim NOORZAI]; De Afghanistan De Solay Ghorzang Gond [ShahnawazTANAI]; De Afghanistan De Solay Mili Islami Gond [Shah MohammoodPopal ZAI]; Hezb-e Esteqlal-e-Mili Afghanistan [Taj MohammadWARDAK]; Hezb-e Hambastagee Mili Aqwam-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad ZarifNASERI]; Hezb-e Harakat-e-Islami-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Ali JAWID];Hezb-e Jamihat-e-Islami [Ustad RABBANI]; Hezb-e Paiwand MihahaniAfghanistan [Sayed Kamal SADAT];Hezb-e-Aarman-e-Mardom-e-Afghanistan [Ilhaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE];Hezb-e-Aazaadi Khwahan Maihan [Abdul Hadi DABEER]; Hezb-e-AazadeeKhwahan Mardom-e-Afghanistan [Feda Mohammad EHSAS];Hezb-e-Adalat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Kabir MARZBAN];Hezb-e-Afghan Melat [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; Hezb-e-Afghanistan-e-Naween[Mohammad Yunis QANUNI]; Hezb-e-Afghanistan-e-Wahid [Mohammad WasilRAHIMEE]; Hezb-e-Azadee-e-Afghanistan [Ilaj Abdul MALEK];Hezb-e-Democracy Afghanistan [Tawos ARAB];Hezb-e-Domcrat-e-Afghanistan [Abdul Kabir RANJBAR];Hezb-e-Eatedal-e-Mili Islami-e-Afghanistan [Qara Bik Eized YAAR];Hezb-e-Eqtedar-e-Mili [Sayed Mustafa KAZEMI];Hezb-e-Falah-e-Mardom-e-Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad ZAREEF];Hezb-e-Hambastagee Mili Jawanan-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad JamilKARZAI]; Hezb-e-Hambastagee-e-Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq NEMAT];Hezb-e-Harakat-e-Islami Mardom-e-Afghanistan [Ilhaj Said HussainANWARY]; Hezb-e-Harakat-e-Mili Wahdat-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad NadirAATASH]; Hezb-e-Ifazat Az Uqooq-e-Bashar Wa Inkishaf-e-Afghanistan[Baryalai NASRATI]; Hezb-e-Islami-e-Afghanistan-e-Jawan [Sayed JawadHUSSINEE]; Hezb-e-Isteqlal-e-Afghanistan [Dr. Ghulam FarooqNEJRABEE]; Hezb-e-Jamahat-ul-Dawat ilal Quran-wa-Sunat-e-Afghanistan[Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Hezb-e-Jamhoree Khwahane-Afghanistan[Sebghatullah SANJAR]; Hezb-e-Junbish Democracy Mardom-e-Afghanistan[Sharif NAZARI]; Hezb-e-Junbish Mili Islami-e-Afghanistan [SayedNOORULLAH]; Hezb-e-Kangra-e-Mili-e-Afghanistan [Abdul Latif PEDRAM];Hezb-e-Kar Wa Tawsiha-e-Afghanistan [Zulfiqar OMID];Hezb-e-Lebral-e-Aazadee Khwa-e-Afghanistan [Ajmal SUHAIL];Hezb-e-Majmeh Mili Faleen-Sulh-e-Afghanistan [Shamsul Haq NoorSHAMS]; Hezb-e-Mardom-e-Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah ASAR];Hezb-e-Mardom-e-Mosalman-e-Afghanistan [Besmellah JOYAN];Hezb-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid ARYAN]; Hezb-e-Mili Heward[GHULAM MOHAMMAD]; Hezb-e-Mili Islami-e-Afghanistan [RohullahLOUDIN]; Hezb-e-Mili Wahdat-e-Aqwam-e-Islami-e-Afghanistan [MohammadShah KHOGYANI]; Hezb-e-Mutahed Mili [Noorul Haq ULOOMI];Hezb-e-Nahzat-e-Aazadee Wa Democracy-e-Afghanistan [Abdul RaqibJawid KOHISTANEE]; Hezb-e-Nahzat-e-Hambastagee Mili-e-Afghanistan[Pir Sayed Eshaq GAILANEE]; Hezb-e-Nakhbagan-e-Mardom-e-Afghanistan[Abdul Hamid JAWAD]; Hezb-e-Paiwand Mili Afghanistan [Sayed MansoorNADREEI]; Hezb-e-Rastakhaiz-e-Mardom-e-Afghanistan [Sayed ZahirQayed Omul BELADI]; Hezb-e-Refah-e-Afghanistan [Meer Asef ZAEEFI];Hezb-e-Refah-e-Mardom-e-Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASIQ];Hezb-e-Refah-e-Mili Afghanistan [Mohammad Hassan JAHFAREE];Hezb-e-Resalat-e-Mardom-e-Afghanistan [Noor Aqa ROEENE];Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mardom-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ];Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mili Islami-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad OsmanSALEKZADA]; Hezb-e-Subat-e-Mili Islami-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad SameKHAROTI]; Hezb-e-Sulh Wa Wahdat-e-Mili-e-Afghanistan [GulabuddinShir ZAEE]; Hezb-e-Sulh-e-Mili Islami Aqwam-e-Afghanistan [AbdulQaher SHARIATEE]; Hezb-e-Tafahum Wa Democracy-e-Afghanistan [AhamadSHAHEEN]; Hezb-e-Tahreek Wahdat-e-Mili-e-Afghanistan [SultanMohammad GHAZI]; Hezb-e-Tahreek Wahdat-ul-Musimeen Afghanistan[Wazir Mohammad WAHDAT]; Hezb-e-Tanzim Jabha MiliNejat-e-Afghanistan [Seghatullah MOJADDEDI]; Hezb-e-Taraqee DemocratAfghanistan [Wali ARYA]; Hezb-e-Taraqee Mili Afghanistan [Dr. ArefBAKTASH]; Hezb-e-Umat-e-Islam-e-Afghanistan [Toran Noor Aqa AhmadZAI]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Mardom-e-Afghanistan [Ustad MohammadMOHAQQEQ]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad KarimKHALILI]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami-e-Melat-e-Afghanistan [Qurban AliURFANI]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid JALILI];Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Mili Islami-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad AKBAREE];Mahaz-e-Mili Islami Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Ahmad GAILANEE]; MiliDreez Gong [Habibullah JANBDAD];Nahzat-e-Hakemyat-e-Mardom-e-Afghanistan [Hayatullah SUBHANEE];Nahzat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOOUD]; TanzimDaawat-e-Islami-e-Afghanistan [Abdul Rasoul SAYYAF]; (20 August 2005)
AlbaniaAgrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI];Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nard NDOKA]; Communist Party ofAlbania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or AD[Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; LegalityMovement Party or PLL [Ekrem SPAHIU]; Liberal Union Party or BLD[Arjan STAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK[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 of Albania or PDSSh [Paskal MILO]; SocialDemocratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement forIntegration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA];Union for Human Rights 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]