The Comoros oil industry is an important element in the islands' economy since all petroleum products have to be imported from neighbouring countries. Historically unstable, the Comores is having difficulty reconciling the various factions. Recent conciliatory gestures offer some hope for a settlement, but instability is likely to be a feature of the islands for some time to come. The economy is highly dependent on tourism and spices for external finance. The islands suffer from population pressure and weak agriculture potential.
Fishing holds some promise, but is unlikely to break the cycle of poverty.
Five years of negative GDP growth were reversed last year, but growth is unlikely to accelerate or broaden in scope significantly in 2001.