| ECONOMY |
| |
| Overview |
The
economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts
for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. Suriname's
economic prospects for the medium term will depend on renewed
commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and
to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets
and promote competition. The government of Ronald VENETIAAN
has begun an austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted
to control spending. However, in 2002, President VENETIAAN
agreed to a large pay raise for civil servants, which threatens
his earlier gains in stabilizing the economy. The Dutch Government
has agreed to restart the aid flow, which will allow Suriname
to access international development financing. The short-term
economic outlook depends on the government's ability to control
inflation and on the development of projects in the bauxite
and gold mining sectors. |
| GDP |
purchasing
power parity - $1.469 billion (2002 est.) |
| GDP
- real growth rate |
1.2% (2002
est.) |
| GDP
- per capita |
purchasing
power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.) |
| GDP
- composition by sector |
agriculture:
13%
industry: 22%
services: 65% (2001 est.) |
| Population
below poverty line |
70% (2002
est.) |
| Inflation
rate (consumer prices) |
17% (2002
est.) |
| Labor
force |
100,000 |
| Labor
force - by occupation |
agriculture
NA%, industry NA%, services NA% |
| Unemployment
rate |
17% (2000)
|
| Industries |
bauxite and
gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering, food processing,
fishing |
| Industrial
production growth rate |
6.5% (1994
est.) |
