The Ivory Coast is an independent republic, with a democratic government, which lies on the Gulf of Guinea and forms part of the West African region.
The political capital is Yamoussoukro and the commercial capital is Abidjan. Other major towns are Dimbokro and Daloa and the ports of Sassandra and Tabou.
The official language is French but over 60 native dialects are spoken. The Ivory Coast has a free economy and an active stock exchange. The local currency is the CFA-franc. (US$ / CFA Franc - current exchange rate).
Due to the state of health, the immunisation status, location and the local disease situation; cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis A,B and C, malaria, schistosomiasis, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, yellow fever and AIDS can occur in the Ivory Coast. Water needs to be boiled before consumption. Meat, fish and vegetables need to be cooked and fruit peeled.
The oil industry of the Ivory Coast is one of the key elements in the economy of the country. In particular the downstream industry is well developed with an oil refinery at Abidjan and 8 oil companies engaged in the distribution and marketing of petroleum products.
Based on a government decision in the 1980's, the oil, gas, and energy sectors of the economy are and will be the main driving engines of the economy in future decades. Offshore discoveries, including gas finds in the Gulf of Guinea provide opportunities for hydrocarbon exploration in the Ivory Coast.
In addition to its oil industry, the Ivory Coast has an active chemicals industry, as well as being one of the larger markets in the lubricants industry in the West African region. The country's mining industry is another important sector in the country's economy. Electricity is provided by the parastatal utility, Compagnie Ivoirienne d'Electricite (CIE).
The Ivory Coast is highly dependent on agriculture and related products and is among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans and palm oil. The economy is greatly affected by international price fluctuations and weather conditions.
The country’s economic growth, which was favourable despite its vulnerable nature, was interrupted and severely hampered by political upheaval and the production and marketing of cotton, sugar cane, tobacco, and cashews were seriously eroded. Road blocks and the lack of liquidity hampered the marketing and transport of cocoa/coffee.
Despite these difficulties, and the fact that the World Bank and the IMF put a hold on disbursements to the country, it has managed to respect its debt obligations to these institutions. The country’s GDP is 2002 was US$11.7 billion of which agriculture made up 25.6%, industry 20.8% and services 53.6%.
Cote d’Ivoire which is a member of ECOWAS, exports alcohols, animals,
chemical products, cocoa beans and cocoa products, edible oils, plastic
products and tea and coffee, while the main imports are fuel, rubber, textiles
and textile products, vehicles and machinery.
Exchange Control is administered by the Directorate of External Trade and
International Economic Relations in the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and
Planning. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency and
travellers cheques which may be taken into the country, provided they are
declared on arrival, and any unused amounts may be taken out again on leaving.
Certain other import items are subject to annual volume or value quotas.
Importers are required to obtain either an import licence or an intent to
import from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry prior to importing
non-prohibited goods.
Côte d'Ivoire is a contracting party to the International Convention
on the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System and has a free trade
zone in Abidjan.
