Country Information - Tanzania

ECONOMIC BACKGROUND Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry is mainly limited to processing agricultural products and light consumer goods. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's deteriorated economic infrastructure. Growth in 1991-2001 featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Natural gas exploration in the Rufiji Delta looks promising and production could start by 2002. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private sector growth and investment. Continued donor support and solid macroeconomic policies should support steady real GDP growth of 5% in 2002 and 2003. (Source: World Factbook, 2002) Click here for Country Map [23kB]

BI-LATERAL TRADE OVERVIEW The value of bi-lateral trade flows between Tanzania and the United States has remained fairly constant in recent years. In 2002, Tanzania recorded a trade deficit of $ 37 million (2001: $36 million) with the US. Tanzania's exports to the U.S. are dominated by two product categories, 'agricultural products' and 'minerals and metals', which together accounted for over 84% of the country's exports to the US in 2002. Imports to Tanzania consist of a variety of products, including 'transportation equipment', 'electronic products', 'textiles and apparel' and 'chemicals and related products' (see link to Country Trade Profile below). Ironically, while Tanzania has met the 'Wearing Apparel' provisions of AGOA, 2002 trade data shows very little exports to the US of 'textiles and apparel'. Tanzania qualified for the 'Wearing Apparel' provisions on February 4, 2002, and in terms of AGOA is also classified as a 'Lesser Developed Country'. This allows Tanzania the use of non-qualifying third country textile inputs for the manufacture of AGOA-eligible garments, at least until September 30, 2004. Detailed bilateral trade data for this country, disaggregated by industry sector, can be accessed by following the link below. Aggregate data featuring all AGOA-eligible countries is updated on this website as soon as new data is published, including ranked AGOA / non-AGOA trade, aggregate trade by industry sector as well as the latest apparel trade data. Click here for Detailed Trade Profile