| Chapter 2: | Linguistic and Demographic Profile of Senegal |
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Economy
France, together with other European Union countries, remains a traditional trading partner of Senegal. For example, in the first 3 months of 2007, the total exports from Senegal to the European Union (EU) constituted about 28.36% of the total exports of the country (Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie, 2007, p. 43). Exports to France, Spain, and Italy account for a significant portion of the total exports—that is, 10.52%, 6.51%, and 4.6%, respectively (Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie, 2007, p. 43).
In recent times, Senegal has opted to diversify its trading and business partners and has opened up ties with emerging economic giants such as China, India, Brazil, and the Arab countries. In 2006 and 2007, exports from Senegal to France in particular and to other EU countries in general did not increase at all; on the contrary, they dropped from 29.75% in the second 3 months of 2006 to 18.52% in the last 3 months of 2006 (Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie, 2007, p. 51).
The West African countries receive the most exports from Senegal, amounting to about 46.24% of the country's total exports (Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie, 2007, p. 44). Mali and Gambia are significant importers from Senegal, receiving about 23.70% and 5.46% of its exports, respectively (Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie, 2007, p. 44). In contrast, Senegal does not import much from its West African neighbours—only 4.87% of its total