Background
Dahomey
gained its independence from France in 1960; the name was changed to
Benin in 1975. From 1974 to 1989 the country was a socialist state;
free elections were reestablished in 1991.
The
economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence
agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real
output averaged a stable 5% in the past five years, but rapid
population rise offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided
over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further,
Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on
tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and
agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication
technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in
telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of
initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors
have eased the external debt situation.
Holidays
Jan 1 - New Year's Day
Jan 10 - Traditional Day
Jan 21* - Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice)
Mar 28~ - Easter Monday
Apr 21* - Prophet's Birthday
May 1 - Labour Day
May 5 - Ascension Day
May 16~ - Whit Monday
Aug 1 - Independence Day
Aug 15 - Assumption
Oct 26 - Armed Forces Day
Nov 1~ - All Saints' Day
Nov 14-16* - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
Nov 30 - National Day
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Ps:
Muslim festivals (*) are timed according to local sightings of various
phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations.
Besides, the date of the festivals (~) are subject to change in every
year.
Phone Codes
Country Code: 229
Outgoing International Code: 00
Resources
Market Research
CIA - The World Factbook - Republic of Benin
This
website indicates a wide range of detail information about Benin by
introducing under 8 different fields as its geography, people,
government, economy, communications, transportation, military,
transnational issues.
About Benin
There
is available to find out Benin general outlook on the issues of its
social and business profile, passport/visa, money, accommodation,
government, duty free, health and so forth.
Benin Post - News Portal
Benin Post is national online news of Benin that provides business, political and so forth news about Benin.
Doing Business in Benin
World
Bank represents a snapshot of the business climate in Benin by
identifying specific regulations and policies that encourage or
discourage investment, productivity, and growth related to Benin.
OPIC Links - Investor's Information Gateway for Benin
There
is available country database information links which are efficient for
the new investors planned to do business in Benin including the
contact lists of the institutions, organization related to Beninese
business.
U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs - For Benin
U.S.
Bureau of Consular Affairs indicates a wide range of research on Benin
in terms of analyzing its social, political, cultural & economic
environments given name as "Consular Information Sheet".
Trade Guide for Benin
There
is available to get comprehensive information not only about Benin
imports, export regulations and other formalities and documents related
to commercial transactions but also main exported and imported products
& trading partners in Benin and so forth.
Trade Information
Embassy Listings For Benin
There are listed the embassies of the republic of Benin including the embassies' contact information.
| 
