Widely circulated data is often ten years old. The best estimate of outside economists is that the economy has been stagnant, with a high rate of inflation and high unemployment, approaching 30 percent among Libyan nationals. Official Libyan statistics show a healthier growth rate. The expected growth in 2000 is 4.7 percent. The balance between the two analyses is difficult to judge.
Foreign workers comprise one third of the active labour force.
State agencies hold monopolies on broad ranges of products - pharmaceuticals for example are all purchased at public tender by the Medical Supply Organisation. For other products, an Export-Import Board allocates foreign exchange to either state enterprises or to private importers. The government tinkers with the policy and the allocations each year. The rules are not consistent. Italy - 337.1 2.