Economy

Maintaining close ties to France since independence in 1960, diversification of agriculture for export, and encouragement of foreign investment, has made Côte d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states. However, in recent years, the country has been subject to greater competition and falling prices in the global marketplace for their primary agricultural crops coffee and cocoa. That, compounded with high internal corruption, makes life difficult for the grower and those exporting into foreign markets.