Syria is a middle-income, developing country with an economy primarily based on industry, energy and agriculture. The principal minerals extracted are petroleum, phosphates, limestone, and salt. Earnings from oil exports as well as remittances from Syrian workers are the government's most important sources of foreign exchange. Principal export items are minerals, petroleum products, textiles, live animals, vegetables, fruit and clothing. Crude oil exports form a major part of the country's total export income. Syria imports electric power machinery, metal and metal products, transport and machinery equipment, paper, yarn and plastics.