Moderate debt burden following implementation of the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) Membership in the CFA monetary zone provides monetary stability Strong donor support Low degree of economic development Narrow economic base, vulnerable to commodities price swings Large underlying fiscal imbalances due to pressing spending needs and low revenue-raising flexibility The ratings on Burkina Faso remain constrained by the country's low level of development, with GDP per capita among the lowest in the world, at below $600. This leaves Burkina Faso's narrow economy, mainly dependant on the primary sector, very vulnerable to external shocks, including commodities price swings. Burkina Faso's two biggest export earners are cotton (31% of total exports GDP in 2008) and gold (27%). The cotton sector continues
