Part I Summary
Cote d’Ivoire is known around the world for being one of the leading exporters and producers of beans, palm oil, cocoa, and coffee. These and other agricultural products help to take up about 68% of the countries economy. Cocoa takes up about 90% of foreign exchange earnings but this number is being threatened by rebels. Northern rebels who would smuggle cocoa they had into neighboring countries to sell for a higher price is going to potentially bring the cocoa harvest down from 10% to 20%. This dependency on farmed goods does not help the country due to constant changes in prices for these products and of course the always changing weather.
In November 2004 an already rough political situation worsened when troops of President Gbagbo killed nine French peacekeepers. In 2005 more political unrest continued to worsen the economy, “with fear among Ivorians spreading, foreign investment shriveling, French businesses and experts fleeing, travel within the country falling, and criminal elements that traffic in weapons and diamonds gaining ground (CIA).”
Recently Cote d’Ivoire has been involved in an illicit diamond production scandal. In 2005, the same year when the countries political stability seemed to be the worst, unlawful activities were suspected to be going on in Northern Cote d’Ivoire, the illicit production and trading of rough diamonds.
Part II Works Cited
“Cote d’Ivoire.” CIA: The World Factbook. 15 Oct. 2006. https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/iv.html>.
“Economic Overview.” CountryWatch.com. 15 Oct. 2006. http://www.countrywatch.com>
“Kimberly Process Resolution on Illicit Diamond Production.” Rapaport News. 15 Oct. 2006. http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=13716.>
Part III Discussion Questions
1. What recommendations do you have for the Ivorian government when doing with the Northern rebels who are affecting their cocoa production?
2. How should Cote d’Ivoire begin to transform from a agriculturally based economy to a more diverse economy?
3. How can the government keep foreign investments from deteriorating and foreign business from leaving?
4. How can the government keep tourism up and travel within the country from ceasing to exist?
5. What recommendations do you have for the Ivorian government in the illegal diamond trading situation going on in Cote d’Ivoire?
-Dylan L.
2 responses so far ↓
1
globalspartan
// Oct 16, 2006 at 12:01 pm
4. What do tourists like? Tourist attractions. Tourist attractions (or lack there of) in Africa are few and far between. Partly because the continent is so deep in poverty, and partly because they have not attempted to attract people. Adding a Disney World, or a Six flags might get the kids riled up. But then you ask, why would people go to Africa to go to Six Flags. Well…Africa is the only place you can ride the Superman rollercoaster over a pyrmiad in Egypt.
-Mike H
2
globalspartan
// Oct 16, 2006 at 12:11 pm
Although northern rebels are attacking cocao plantations in efforts to gain finanicial assets, the country itself is struggling from n underdeveloped workforce that helps pikc this cash-crop (coffee can besubstitued here). Numerous humanitarian agencies ahve accused countries in Africa of utilizing underpriveleged children to ensure cheap and managable labor. So screw both of them.
Sincerely, Pierre Romanalski.
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