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August 09, 2005
Interesting Number.
Interesting little number:
In the early 1960s, Zimbabwe was richer than Thailand, which has itself only just got over a serious banking crisis in the late 1990s.
Be interesting to know what the position was in 1980. What’s the split in responsibility for this sterling performance between Comrade Bob and Ian Smith.
August 9, 2005 in Make Poverty History | Permalink
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Comments
At the time of the end of the Korean war per capita GDP was three times higher in the north than in the south.
Wonder what happened?
Posted by: Chris harper | Aug 9, 2005 9:26:45 AM
I was born in Zimbabwe in 1982 and, although I don't know anything about economics, I would say that Zimbabwe had a good chance of equalling the Thai economy in 1980.
We were known as "The Bread basket of Africa" thanks to our extensive commercial farming, we enjoyed huge numbers of tourists because of Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba and the Matopos National Park (where Rhodes is buried). We had (and continue to have) vast mineral wealth and the British (and possiblly some credit to Smith and Co.) left an impressive infrastructure which served our economy well.
The Zimbabwe dollar was close to the value of the British Pound when I was born, but when I left in 2001 our poor currency was devastated: 1 dollar left worth less than a tenth of a penny.
Your question was probably rhetorical Tim, but yes, Bob is a cunt.
Tim adds: An accurate and elegant summation of my views there.
Posted by: Brian | Aug 9, 2005 9:37:03 AM
