One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, which is vulnerable to periodic drought. Cotton is the main cash crop and the government has joined with three other cotton producing countries in the region - Mali, Niger, and Chad - to lobby for improved access to Western markets. GDP growth has largely been driven by increases in world cotton prices. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations. Following the CFA franc currency devaluation in January 1994, the government updated its development program in conjunction with international agencies; exports and economic growth have increased. The government devolved macroeconomic policy and inflation targeting to the West African regional central bank (BCEAO), but maintains control over fiscal and microeconomic policies, including implementing reforms to encourage private investment. The bitter internal crisis in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire continues to hurt trade and industrial prospects and deepens the need for international assistance. Burkina Faso is eligible for a Millennium Challenge Account grant, which would increase investment in the country's human capital. More finance information from Burkina Faso:

General Economic Links:

Chase.com With many branches across the U.S., Chase provides many personal and business banking services DealBook The New York Times online daily digest of finance news and analysis is constantly updated during the market day. Federal Trade Commission – Credit The credit section of the FTC’s website has lots of great consumer information and articles Financial Times This venerable international business newspaper reports extensively on business and stock markets. Financial-portal.com Portal presents comprehensive financial resources, articles, news, stats, indexes, financial institutions etc: - articles on financial topics - financial news - latest currency charts - latest gold, silver, platinum and other precious metal prices - current financial indexes and dynamic graphs - universal currency converters (all major currencies) - stock, commodity and other major exchanges Finweb.com - the independent financial portal "Financial security. Everyone wants it; few have it. Many do not realize that true financial security requires strength in every area of one’s financial affairs. It requires a systematic approach, a strategic plan implemented over time, in order to obtain it. But it can be obtained. With the proper educational training and discipline, financial stability and security is within anyone’s grasp. That’s why we’re here: to provide you with a solid foundation of valuable financial knowledge from which to proceed..." Fitch Ratings Provides independent global credit rating information for the world’s credit markets Forbes.com Extensive coverage of business and financial news, Forbes is one of the premier sites covering the world of business. Google Finance Google Finance provides an unclutered interface to finance news, market summary with graphs, stock quotes, top movers and other indicators. Also search companies by stock code. Kiplinger Personal finance site that offers calculators, business news, quotes and much more personal finance information MarketWatch This Dow Jones operated site provides personal finance news, advice and stock market data and analysis MSN Money The MSN (Microsoft Network) provides a finance portal including latest finance news, market updates and resources. United States Department of the Treasury The federal agency concerned with the financial and economic growth of the United States. Yahoo Finance The Yahoo search engine provides a finance portal with breaking news, market summaries and editor articles.