Completely neglected by the French government and reached independence without any basic structure capable of achieving a minimum of economic self-sufficiency, the Comoros are one of the states, among the many small ones freed from the colonial regime, with a weaker economy. The loss of Mayotte, the richest island of the archipelago, still administered by France, meant a further worsening of its precarious economic situation. The country is characterized by a growing process of impoverishment, caused by the presence of an agricultural sector based almost exclusively on the cultivation of products for export, by the dependence on foreign countries to meet the internal food needs (in particular it depends on France and the Fund International Monetary), which causes unsustainable foreign debt. The economy is therefore very weak as evidenced by the GDP of only US $ 532 million; the GDP per capita was US $ 816 (2008). § Practically all the population derives their livelihood from heavily eroded soil, largely unproductive and not very fertile everywhere: 71.3% of the workforce works in the primary sector. For local consumption, cassava, sweet potatoes, cereals and coconut palms are grown, but, as mentioned, the production of these products is insufficient to meet the internal needs, so over half of the necessary food must be imported. Export crops include coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla, sisal, perfume plants, including ylang-ylang, and cloves. § The pastures are thin and the livestock patrimony is very small, while fishing, which before independence was one of the pillars of the country’s economy, is insufficiently practiced. According to allcountrylist, finally, the industrial sector is completely irrelevant, represented by small artisan companies used for the processing of certain local products, such as the distillation of essential oils, the production of wooden products, milling activities, etc.; the country is also devoid of mineral resources and the scarce energy used is supplied by thermal power stations.
Given the extremely difficult economic situation and the low national production, foreign trade, which takes place mainly with France, records a heavy deficit: exports concern vanilla, essential oils, copra and sisal and are affected by the fall in prices on international markets. Thanks to its geographical position, the Comoros also have commercial relations with the states of the Middle East. Imports are mainly represented by food products, fuels, manufactured goods, machinery and means of transport. § Communications are clearly lacking: railways are lacking, roads only reached 880 km (1999), of which approx. 75% asphalted; there are ports at Moroni, Fomboni and Mutsamudum. The capital is home to an international airport. § Tourism, favored by the enchanting natural resources, is growing, but still held back by the unstable political situation. Imports are mainly represented by food products, fuels, manufactured goods, machinery and means of transport.
Communications are clearly lacking: railways are lacking, roads only reached 880 km (1999), of which approx. 75% asphalted; there are ports at Moroni, Fomboni and Mutsamudum. The capital is home to an international airport.
Tourism, favored by the enchanting natural resources, is growing, but still held back by the unstable political situation. Imports are mainly represented by food products, fuels, manufactured goods, machinery and means of transport. § Communications are clearly lacking: railways are lacking, roads only reached 880 km (1999), of which approx. 75% asphalted; there are ports at Moroni, Fomboni and Mutsamudum. The capital is home to an international airport. § Tourism, favored by the enchanting natural resources, is growing, but still held back by the unstable political situation. The capital is home to an international airport. § Tourism, favored by the enchanting natural resources, is growing, but still held back by the unstable political situation. The capital is home to an international airport. § Tourism, favored by the enchanting natural resources, is growing, but still held back by the unstable political situation.
