Trade

Weights and Measures
the metric system is in use.
Imports
Machinery and transportation equipment, food, livestock, chemicals, petroleum products.
Total Imports
$425,000,000 (1997); $425,000,000 (1996).
Exports
Food, livestock, chemicals, tobacco, beverages, sorghum.
Total Exports
$52,000,000 (1997); $72,000,000 (1996).
Trading Partners
(Imports) Saudi Arabia - 15.7%; Italy - 13.7%; United Arab Emirates - 13.1%; Ethiopia - 9.0%; Germany - 5.5% (1997).
(Exports) Ethiopia - 63.4%; Sudan - 16.6%; Italy - 4.9%; Saudi Arabia - 1.9%; United States - 0.9% (1997).
Balance of Payments
1997: +$4,900,000
1996: -$50,800,000
1995: +$17,800,000

Eritrea: Transportation
Transportation RoadsTotal miles: 2,494; paved miles: 543 (1996 estimate). Vehicles(not available) RailroadsTotal track-miles: 191, nonoperational (1995). Passenger-miles traveled: (not available); freight-ton miles carried: (not available). PortsMajor: 2--Massawa, Assab (1996).Cargo loaded (short tons): (not available); unloaded (short tons): (not available). Civil AviationUsable airfields: 20 (1998 estimate). Paved runways 8,000 feet and over: 2 (1998 estimate). Scheduled airline traffic (not available).

SOURCE: Direction of Trade Statistics; International Financial Statistics; Europa World Year Book; The World Almanac and Book of Facts; The World Factbook