observer), ECLAC
(associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WMO, WToO
(associate)

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the
Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul
General Barbara J. STEPHENSON

consulate(s) general: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad AN, Curacao

mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao

telephone: [599] (9) 4613066

FAX: [599] (9) 4616489

Flag description: white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center
superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white,
five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of
the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of
Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten

Netherlands Antilles Economy

Economy - overview: Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore
finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely
tied to the outside world. Although GDP has declined slightly in
each of the past five years, the islands enjoy a high per capita
income and a well-developed infrastructure as compared with other
countries in the region. Almost all consumer and capital goods are
imported, with Venezuela, the US, and Mexico being the major
suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the
development of agriculture.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: -3.5% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,400 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1%

industry: 15%

services: 84% (1996 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.4% (2000 est.)

Labor force: 89,000

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 1%, industry 13%, services
86% (1994 est.)

Unemployment rate: 14.9% (1998 est.)

Budget: revenues: $710.8 million

expenditures: $741.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.)

Industries: tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire), petroleum
refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and
Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao)

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity - production: 1.11 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100%

hydro: 0%

nuclear: 0%

other