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Guyana ECONOMY
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): In 1990 US$275 million, or
US$369 per capita, one of lowest in the Western Hemisphere.
Agriculture: Most important sector of economy, accounting
for 30 percent of GDP in 1989. Sugar and rice most important crops.
Mining: One of largest bauxite reserves in the world.
Nationalization of the industry and labor disputes have hampered
mining operations and refining of bauxite into alumina; in 1991
Guyana exported only small amounts of unprocessed bauxite ore.
Unknown reserves of gold and diamonds.
Manufacturing: Small sector consisting of food
processing, mineral processing, textiles, ceramics, and
pharmaceuticals.
Exports: US$204 million in 1990. Major commodities:
sugar, bauxite, shrimp, rice, and gold.
Imports: US$250 million in 1990. Primarily fuel,
machinery, and consumer goods.
Debt: US$1.96 billion (Dec. 1990)
Currency: Guyanese dollar (G$) divided into 100 cents. G$
repeatedly devalued in 1980s; official exchange rate dropped from
US$1=G$4.252 in 1985 to US$1=G$10 in 1987. In April 1989, official
exchange rate was US$1=G$33. As of December 1992, official rate was
US$1=G$125, with adjustments made weekly.
Fiscal Year: Calendar year.
Data as of January 1992
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