World Country Guide

Business Profile

Economy
Chad is one of the world’s poorest countries, with a per capita annual income of just US$200. Civil war, poor infrastructure, few natural resources and droughts have hampered any development of the economy during the last few decades. Subsistence level farming occupies 70 per cent of the population, producing mainly sorghum, millet and groundnuts. Cotton is the main cash crop. Nonetheless, there are chronic food shortages which can, in many areas, only be met by international food aid. Agro-industrial operations, most of which are based in the south of the country, dominate the small industrial sector. Mineral deposits including tungsten, tin, bauxite, gold and iron ore have been located: only natron (hydrated sodium carbonate) is mined in commercial quantities. However, the country now has a unique opportunity to transform its economic fortunes following the discovery of large oil deposits in the Doba Basin in the southwest. A 1000km pipeline linking the fields to the Cameroonian port of Kribi (Chad is landlocked) was due on stream in 2003. Chad is expected to earn around US$3 billion over 25 years, which will increase national income by around 50 per cent. France is by far the largest trading partner, followed by Nigeria, The Netherlands, Italy, the USA, the UK, Cameroon and Germany. Chad is a member of the Central African Economic and Customs Union (CEEAC).

Business
A knowledge of French is essential as there are no professional translators available. Best months for business visits are between November and May. Office hours: Mon-Thurs 0700-1530, Fri 0700-1200.

Commercial Information
The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie, d’Agriculture, des Mines et d’Artisanat, 13 avenue du Colonel Moll, BP 458, N’Djamna (tel: 525 264; fax: 525 263).