Economy

One of the poorest countries in the world, Chad has a per capita income of just US$ 200. few natural resources, drought and civil war have further hampered economic growth. 70% of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. There is a chronic shortage of food despite the farming of millet, sorghum and groundnuts. The main cash crop is cotton. Chad has little mineral resources, though uranium; tungsten, oil, bauxite and gold are thought to exist in the northern parts of the country. There is a small industrial sector in the southern part of the country and the only mineral extracted in any significant quantity is natron.

The country's economy is expected to improve following the discovery of oil deposits. Oil production came on stream in late 2003 and the country is expected to start to export oil in 2004. Basically, Chad relies on foreign assistance for most public and private sector investment projects. Chad is a member of the Francophone African Economic Block (CEEAC). France is the largest trading partner followed by Nigeria, Netherlands, Italy, USA, UK, Cameroon and Germany.