Saturday, February 28, 2009

Eritrea Economy



As of 2005, Eritrea is one of the poorest countries in the world.
More than half of the population lives on less than US$1 per day
, and about one-third lives in extreme poverty (defined as subsisting
on less than 2,000 calories per day). Although the Eritrean government
has stated its commitment to adoption of market-based economic policies
in the long run, authorities are increasingly reliant on centrally planned economic
management. In general, the government produces few consistent and reliable statistics on economic activity. Eritrea has experienced modest economic growth in recent years, indicated
by an improvement in Gross domestic product (GDP) in 2004 of 2.5% over 2003. However, worker remittances from abroad are estimated to account for 32 percent of gross domestic product.[1

Saudi Arabia Economy



Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government

control over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia possesses

25% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the

largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC.

Saudi Arabia's economy is a centrally planned economy. However,

there are some private companies in Saudi Arabia. They are strictly

controlled and regulated by the Saudi Arabian government, though.

Uganda Economy


Endowed with significant natural resources, including ample fertile land, regular rainfall, and mineral deposits, the economy of Uganda has great potential, and it appeared poised for rapid economic growth and development. However, chronic political instability and erratic economic management produced a record of persistent economic decline that has left Uganda among the world's poorest and least-developed countries. The national energy needs have historically been more than domestic energy generation, though large petroleum reserves have been found in the west.

After the turmoil of the Amin era, the country began a program of economic recovery in 1981 that received considerable foreign assistance. From mid-1984 on, however, overly expansionist fiscal and monetary policies and the renewed outbreak of civil strife led to a setback in economic performance.

Liberia Economy


The Liberian Civil War in 1989-96 destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Many businessmen fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Some returned during 1997. Many will not return. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products, while local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. The democratically elected government, installed in August 1997, inherited massive international debts and currently relies on revenues from its maritime registry to provide the bulk of its foreign exchange earnings. The restoration of the infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy depend on the implementation of sound macro- and micro-economic policies of the new government, including the encouragement of foreign investment

Venezuela Economy



The economy of Venezuela is based in large part on oil. The petroleum sector dominates the economy, accounting for roughly a third of GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and more than half of government operating revenues. Venezuela is the fifth biggest member in OPEC. From the 1950s to the early 1980s the Venezuelan economy was the strongest in South America. The continuous growth during that period attracted many immigrants. During the collapse of oil prices during the 1980s the economy contracted. With the recent rise in oil prices and rising government expenditures, Venezuela's economy grew by 9% in 2007. However, there is still considerable income inequality. Although commonly thought to be a command economy, government spending as a percentage of GDP in Venezuela in 2007 was 30%, smaller than other capitalist countries such as France (49%) and Sweden (52%) [3]. According to official sources, the percentage of people below the national poverty line has decreased significantly during the Chavez years, from 48.1% in 2002 to 30.2% in 2006.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Economic Community of West African


An economic grouping constituted largely on the initiative of General GOWON

at Lagos in 1975 by 15 West African countries, and later (1977) joined by Cape

Verde. Its object was to provide a programme of liberalization of trade and to

bring about an eventual customs union. A common fund was established to promote

development projects, with specialized commissions for trade, industry, transport,

and social and cultural affairs. A new treaty was signed in 1993, designating the

creation of a free-trade zone and a single currency as specific objectives and planning

the establishment of a West African parliament and a new ECOWAS court of justice.

Malawi Currency


Malawi is a landlocked, densely populated country. Its economy is heavily dependent on agriculture. Malawi has few exploitable mineral resources. Its two most important export crops are tobacco and tea. Traditionally Malawi has been self-sufficient in its staple food, maize, and during the 1980s exported substantial quantities to its drought-stricken neighbors. Agriculture represents 34.7% of the GDP and represents about 80% of all exports. Nearly 90% of the population engages in subsistence farming. Smallholder farmers produce a variety of crops, including maize (corn), beans, rice, cassava, tobacco, and groundnuts (peanuts).The agricultural sector contributes about 63.7% of total income for the rural population, 65% of manufacturing sector's raw materials, and approximately 87% of total employment. Financial wealth is generally concentrated in the hands of a small elite. Malawi's manufacturing industries are situated around the city of Blantyre.

Malawi's economic reliance on the export of agricultural commodities renders it particularly vulnerable to external shocks such as declining terms of trade and drought. High transport costs, which can comprise over 30% of its total import bill, constitute a serious impediment to economic development and trade. Malawi must import all its fuel products. Paucity of skilled labor; difficulty in obtaining expatriate employment permits; bureaucratic red tape; corruption; and inadequate and deteriorating road, electricity, water, and telecommunications infrastructure further hinder economic development in Malawi. However, recent government initiatives targeting improvements in the road infrastructure, together with private sector participation in railroad and telecommunications, have begun to render the investment environment more attractive.

Bahrain - currency


Bahrain officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain is a borderless island nation situated in the Persian Gulf and is the smallest Arab nation. The country of Saudi Arabia lies west to Bahrain and is connected to Bahrain by the King Fahd Causeway and is also connected to Qatar to the south across the Persian Gulf. The Bahrain Currency is a very important and significant aspect of the country.

A few tidbits on the Bahrain Currency would be surely welcome as a part of your Bahrain Overview. Currently the Bahrain Dinar is equal to about 2.65957 US Dollars.

The history of Currency in Bahrain, reflects the various epoch of the nation. Bahrain Currency also makes for an integral part of Bahrain and also maintains the strong economic links that Bahrain enjoys with many around the globe. Bahrain Tourism is highly dependent on the currency of the country. Any tourist has to exchange their own currency for Bahrain Currency while traveling in Bahrain. Bahrain was the first country in the Gulf that recognized the usage of coins as a fantastic means of enhancing trades and other finance related activities. Bahrain is one hugely important transit point that offers traders a safe anchorage along with reliable food and water supply. The Bahrain Currency is held responsible for Bahrain's gradual rise in the fields of economy and politics. There was practically every form of money used by the merchants in Bahrain. The use of several forms of money continued till 1965 after which the Bahrain Currency came into being. The Bahrain Currency is the Bahrain Dinar that has been a very important aspect in the culture of Bahrain.

Throughout most of the country's history, the Bahrain Currency was just intended to be used by the citizens but with the gradual advancement of time, the external trade has also adopted the use of the Bahrain Currency. Gold and silver became obsolete as a means of exchange system and the Bahrain currency slowly gained predominance. The Central Bank of Bahrain has upheld the security levels and value that is enjoyed by the Bahrain Dinar. The bank's efforts and objective is to make their citizens appreciate and honor their currency.

Japanese military currency was first issued in 1942 by the Japanese government and used by countries under their rule at that time. The Japanese were not the first to issue military currency though.

During and after World War II, the United States issued military payment certificates to be legal tender for military and civilian personnel overseas. Unlike allied military currency, these notes were backed by the U.S. dollar. One of the reasons for issuing MPC was that it helped to combat black market activities. When it was felt that too much MPC was in the local economy it would be demonitized and another series would take its place.

Some of the countries the produced military money are Austria, Germany, Italy, Japan, China, France, Great Britian, the Philippines and the United States of America

afghan currency


The afghani, denoted by AFN, is the official currency used in Afghanistan. Behind the afghani lies a history characterized by a lack of standardization and currency revaluation. Prior to the United States invasion of Afghanistan, political parties, foreign powers and forgers each made their own old afghanis (AFI); the key attribute of this currency, at the time, was that there was essentially no standardization as afghanis were made without honoring serial numbers. (For example, after the Northern Alliance lost its power in 1996, banknotes were produced in Russia and sold on Kabul's markets at half the value!) In early 2003, a three-month transition period ended in the swapping of old afghani (AFI) banknotes for new currency. The new afghani received the code AFN, and had three zeros eliminated. As soon as October hit, Anwar Ul-Haq Ahadi, Governor of the Afghan Central Bank, announced that Afghans should use their own currency for daily transactions instead of the commonly utilized US dollars and Pakistani rupees. This move was in preparation for October 8, 2003, when all prices in the Afghan marketplace were to be specified in afghanis.