Abstract: | The Sierra Leone economy, like that of the majority of developing countries, is heavily dependent on international trade. Measured by the average contribution of foreign trade to the national economy, Sierra Leone is ranked among the highest in Africa. Between 1963-1964 and 1971-1972 the contribution of exports and imports of goods and services to GDP has varied between 23 and 30 percent with an average of about 28 percent for the period as a whole. There is virtually no change in the figures for the period from 1972-1973 to 1979-1980. This paper deals with the structure of Sierra Leone's foreign trade, the direction of foreign trade, trade and development, and Sierra Leone's balance of payments position during the period 1961-1980. Conclusion is that the country's foreign trade pattern is not likely to change substantially in the near future. Bibliogr., ref. |