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ECONOMY
Cote d'Ivoire is one
among the largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa
beans, and palm oil of the world. As a result, the economy is
highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these
products as well as to weather conditions. Even though there have been
government attempts to diversify the economy, it is still highly
dependent on agriculture and such other activities, that constitute
approx. 68% of the population. After long years of lagging performance,
the Ivorian economy came back in 1994, owing to the 50% devaluation of
the CFA franc and improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in
nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and rubber, limited
trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas discoveries, and
generous external financing and debt rescheduling by multilateral
lenders and France. Also, government adherence to donor-mandated
reforms led to an increase in the growth to 5% every year during
1996-99. Growth decreased in the years 2000 and 2001 due to the
difficulty in meeting the conditions of international donors, continued
low prices of key exports, and post-coup instability. Political
instability, however, continues to hinder its growth.
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Capital: Abidjan
Area: 322 462 km²
Population: 14 015 000
Currency: 1 US$ = 600 CFA
GDP: 132/1 668$
HDI : 145/368
CPI : 59/3.1
Languages: French, fon, Yoruba, Somka, Dendi, Bariba, Goun, Adja,
Pila-pila
Ethnic groups: Akan (southeast), Kru (southwest), Voltaic Northeast),
Malinké Mande (northwest) Lebanese
Religions: Animist 60%, Muslim 20%, Christian 20%
H of S: Henri Konan-Bédié ‘93
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