the mineral industry of venezuela 1998 27 1 v enezuela by ivette e torres s gross domestic product gdp decreased 0 7 in after an increase 5 9 revised 1997 us embassy caracas july 1999 p 2 inflation to 29 from 37 6 unemployment was 11 a slight decrease when it 10 15 one main reasons for slowdown economy during year low petroleum prices and resulting reduction output average export price 57 per barrel 35 lower than that mining sector continued contribute modestly be most important commodity country largest source foreign exchange contributing about 78 total exports government fiscal revenue represented 26 economist under venezuelan constitution hydrocarbon resources
