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Economy
The chief occupations, which employ more than 90% of the workforce, are small-scale subsistence farming (producing rice, corn, root crops, citrus fruit, barley, wheat, and potatoes) and the raising of yaks, cattle, sheep, pigs, and tanguns, a sturdy breed of pony valued in mountain transportation. Cement; metal, wood, and leather working; alcoholic beverages; calcium carbide; textiles; and handicrafts are also important. Fuels, grain, machinery, and vehicles are the major imports; cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, and fruit are the primary exports. Hydroelectric power is a most important resource, with some electricity being exported to India. Tourism is a significant though restricted activity, and it is the country's largest source of foreign exchange. Bhutan's economy is closely tied to that of India, both through trade and monetary links.
Aid (% of GDP): 10.9% [31st of 133] 
Budget (expenditures): $152 million, including capital expenditures of NA [188th of 226]
(per $ GDP): $5.62 per $100 [172nd of 218]
(per capita): $71.04 per person [195th of 226]
Budget (revenues): $146 million [185th of 226]
(per $ GDP): $5.40 per $100 [164th of 218]
(per capita): $68.23 per person [191st of 226]
Currency: ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
Currency code: BTN; INR
Debt - external: $245 million (2000) [160th of 198]
(per $ GDP): $9.07 per $100 [147th of 195]
(per capita): $114.51 per person [178th of 198]
Debt service: 3.31% (2001) [114th of 149]
Economic aid - recipient: substantial aid from India and other nations
(per $ GDP): $0 per $100
(per capita): $0 per person
The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, providing the main livelihood for more than 90% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. The government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.
Exchange rates: ngultrum per US dollar - 48.61 (2002), 47.19 (2001), 44.94 (2000), 43.06 (1999), 41.26 (1998)
Exports: $154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.) [173rd of 225]
(per $ GDP): $5.70 per $100 [153rd of 221]
(per capita): $71.97 per person [180th of 225]
Exports - commodities: electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
Exports - goods and services: 30% [100th of 163] 
Exports - manufactured: 40% (1999) [68th of 130]
Exports - partners: US 24.1%, UK 23.9%, Pakistan 23.1%, France 13.9% (2002)
Exports - primary: 60% (1999) [48th of 122]
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP): 29.61% (2000) [103rd of 196]
Exports to US: $10000 [214th of 246]
(per $ GDP): $0.00 per $100 [199th of 213]
(per capita): $0.00 per person [207th of 222]
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June [0th of 233]
GDP: $2.7 billion (2002 est.) [165th of 229]
(per capita): $1261.94 per person [188th of 236]
GDP (PPP): $1.1 billion [149th of 165]
GDP - composition by sector (agriculture): 45% [19th of 206]
GDP - composition by sector (industry): 10% [194th of 205]
GDP - composition by sector (services): 45% (2002 est.) [155th of 206]
GDP - real growth rate: 7.7% (2002 est.) [17th of 211]
GDP growth (1975-2000): 4.0% [19th of 156]
Gross National Income: $0.5288713 billion (2001) [153rd of 205]
(per $ GDP): $19.58 per $100 [139th of 170]
(per capita): $247.18 per person [150th of 172]
Human Development Index: 0.494 [133rd of 173]
Imports: $196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.) [189th of 225]
(per $ GDP): $7.25 per $100 [172nd of 221]
(per capita): $91.60 per person [192nd of 225]
Imports - commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Imports - goods and services: 60% [38th of 163]
Imports - partners: Japan 44.5%, Germany 12.2%, UK 8.5%, Singapore 6%, South Korea 5%, US 4.2% (2002)
Imports from US: $100000 [219th of 246]
(per $ GDP): $0.00 per $100 [206th of 213]
(per capita): $0.04 per person [213rd of 222]
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP): 59.86% (2000) [49th of 196]
Industrial production growth rate: 9.3% (1996 est.) [12nd of 162]
Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
Industry - Value added: 37.27 (2000) [0th of 185]
Industry - Value added (% of GDP): 37.27% (2000) [0th of 185]
Inflation (1990-2000): 9.6% (shorter period) [65th of 158]
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2002 est.) [125th of 219]
Net foreign investment: 0.0%
Tourist arrivals: 5,000 (1997) [150th of 153]
(per capita): 2.33 per 1000 people [143rd of 152]
Trade balance with US: $90000 [102nd of 246]
(per $ GDP): $0.00 per $100 [92nd of 213]
(per capita): $0.04 per person [98th of 222]
Trade in goods: 55.49% (2001) [94th of 197]
Transnational corporations (affiliates): 2 [155th of 188]
(per capita): 0.93 per 1 million people
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