Economic overview: Chad’s economy is plagued by the country’s remoteness from the sea, droughts, poor infrastructure and political unrest. About 85% of the population is employed in agriculture, including pastoralism, of all participants in the financial association of French-speaking countries, Chad benefited the least from the devaluation of 50% of the currency in January 1994. Financial assistance from the World Bank, the African Development Bank and other sources are directed mainly for the development of agriculture, especially livestock. The World Bank has decided to support the development of the Doba oil field and the construction of an oil pipeline to Cameroon, which could place Chad among West African oil exporters. However, ordinary citizens are unlikely to receive significant benefits from the implementation of oil projects. See businesscarriers.com to know more about Chad Economics and Business. GDP: at purchasing power parity – $ 8.1 billion (2000 est.). Real GDP growth rate: 4% (2000 est.). GDP per capita: at purchasing power parity – $1,000 (2000 est.). The composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: agriculture: 40%; industry: 14%; services: 46% (1998). Proportion of population below the poverty line: 64% (1995 est.). Percentage distribution of household income or consumption: for the poorest 10% of households: n/a; 10% of the wealthiest families: no data. Inflation rate at consumer prices: 3% (2000 est.). Labor force: no data. Employment structure: agriculture 85% (subsistence farming, cattle breeding, fishing). Unemployment rate: no data. Budget: revenues: $198 million; expenses: $218 million, including capital expenditures of $146 million (1998 est.). Spheres of economy: cotton, meat-packing industry, brewing, sodium mining, soap making, tobacco production, construction materials. Growth in industrial production: 5% (1995). Electricity generation: 90 million kWh (1999). Sources of electricity generation: fossil fuels: 100%; hydropower: 0%; nuclear fuel: 0%; others: 0% (1999). Electricity consumption: 83.7 million kWh (1999) Electricity export: 0 kWh (1999). Electricity import: 0 kWh (1999). Agricultural products: cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, cassava (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels. Exports: $172 million (free on board, 2000 est.) Exports: cotton, cattle, textiles. Export partners: Portugal 38%, Germany 12%, Thailand, Costa Rica, South Africa, France (1999). Imports: $223 million (free on board, 2000 est.) Imports: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles. Import partners: France 40%, Cameroon 13%, Nigeria 12%, India 5% (1999). External debt: $1 billion (1999 est.) Economic aid recipient: $238.3 million (1995); note – $125 million allocated by Taiwan (August 1997); $30 million – African Development Bank. Economic aid donor: Currency: African Financial Community Franc (CFA franc, Communaute Finan-ciere Africaine franc); note – the circulation of the CFA franc is regulated by the Central Bank of West African countries. Currency code: XOF. Exchange rate: XOF/USD – 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note: since January 1, 1999, the CFA franc has been exchanged for the euro at a ratio of 655.957 CFA francs to 1 euro. Fiscal year: calendar year.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications Telephone lines: 7,000 (1997). Mobile cell phones: 0 (1995). Telephone system: primitive; internal: mediocre radiotelephone system; international: satellite earth station – 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean). Broadcast stations: AM – 2, FM – 3, shortwave – 5 (1998). Radio receivers: 1.67 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997). TVs: 10,000 (1997). Internet country code: td Internet service providers: 1 (2000). Number of users: 1,000 (2000).
Transport
Transport Railways: 0 km. Roads: total: 33,400 km; coated: 267 km; unpaved: 33,133 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 2,000 km. Pipelines: Ports and harbours: none. Merchant Marine: Airports: 50 (2000 est.). Airports with paved runways: total: 7; over 3047 m:2; from 2438 to 3047 m:3; from 1524 to 2437 m:1; less than 914 m: 1 (2000 est.). Airports with unpaved runways: total: 43; from 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12; from 914 to 1523 m:20; less than 914 m: 11 (2000 est.).
Armed forces
Branches of the armed forces: armed forces (includes ground forces, air force, gendarmerie), republican guard, rapid reaction forces, police, guards of villages and camps. Enlistment age: 20 years old. Total Military Manpower: Male 15 to 49: 1,814,578 (2001 est.). Eligible for military service: men aged 15 to 49: 949,997 (2001 est.). Number of persons reaching military age each year: male: 82,003 (2001 est.). Military spending in dollar terms: $39 million (1996) Military spending as part of GDP: 3.5% (1996).
International Issues
International issues International disputes: the delimitation of international borders in the Lake Chad region, the absence of which previously led to clashes, has been completed, and ratification of the treaty by Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria is expected.
