Gross National Product (GNP): $1.78bn

Exchange rates against the US$ over the last year: 15 córdobas oro (14.19)

SCORE CARD

World GNP ranking: 140th GNP per capita: $370 Balance of payments: –$888m Inflation: 4% Unemployment: 11%

Strengths

Coffee, sugar, and grain exports. Foreign aid and public and private reconstruction work after Hurricane Mitch will benefit tourism, energy, services, and construction. Large foreign debt cancellations.

Weaknesses

Main exports subject to price fluctuations. High unemployment. Poor energy supply and infrastructure. Lack of investment and diversification. Weak banks. Delays in privatization. Skewed land ownership and protracted property disputes. Corruption. Frequent natural disasters.

EXPORTS

IMPORTS

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004