Economy

Myanmar is incredibly rich in natural resources. The imperial jade, the best pigeon blood rubies and the finest sapphires, all come from this soil of Myanmar. The fame of Myanmar Gems, Jade and Pearls has attracted many of the wealthiest jewel dealers in Asia and the world.

Myanmar teak is Asia and the world�s wonder, especially the sight of thousand of elephants and riders who each year extract more than a million tons of teak and other hardwoods from Myanmar�s deciduous monsoon forest, showing off Myanmar�s thriving elephant culture and its economic importance. 

Myanmar is richly endowed with renewable and non-renewable energy resources which are being exploited by the state sector with the participation of local and foreign investors. Agriculture remains the main sector of the economy and measures have been taken to increase productivity, diversification of crop patterns, and revitalization of agriculture exports. 

Labor force: 16.0 million (1992) Unemployment rate: N/A Inflation Rate: 38% (1994) Gross domestic product (total value of goods and services produced annually): $41.4 billion (1994 est.) Budget: $10.0 billion (1995 est.) Debt: $5.5 billion (1996) Exports : $879.0 million (1996 est.), primarily pulses and beans, teak, rice, hardwood Imports: $1.5 billion (1996 est.), primarily machinery, transport equipment, construction materials, food products, consumer goods Defense spending: N/A Highways: 27,000 km (1995) 

Source: 1998 CIA World Factbook