Mali, where the government is actively pushing economic liberalization, recorded an economic growth rate of 9.7 % for the 2002 financial year, and is currently seeking to develop various industries. Mali's primary industries are agriculture and farming. Agriculture is practiced in the south and in the Niger River inland delta, where corn, cotton, rice, Sugarcane, peanuts and other crops are cultivated. The list of principal exports includes peanuts, cotton, livestock and hides (cattle, goat, etc.), and gold.

Gross national income (GNI) : US$2.5 billion (2001)

GNI per capital : US$240 (2001)

Currency : CFA Franc

Exchange rate :  656.113 CFA Francs = 1 Euro (fixed rate)

Major industries : agriculture (cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum), livestock, manufacturing, and mining (phosphates, salt, gold)

Major trade items

• Exports : cotton, gold and livestock
• Imports : machinery, petroleum products and consumer goods

Major trading partners

• Exports : France, Germany, Italy, Thailand, Canada etc.
• Imports : Cote d'Ivoire, France, Senegal, Belgium etc.