sure groups and leaders:

Employers Association (VBC); Unions (AVBO)

International organization participation:

Caricom (observer), ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate),
UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr.
Jeffrey CORRION, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Consul General Robert E. SORENSON
consulate(s) general: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad, Curacao
mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao
telephone: [599] (9) 461-3066
FAX: [599] (9) 461-6489

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

Economy
Netherlands Antilles

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 or grown slightly in each of the past
eight years, the islands enjoy a high per capita income and a
well-developed infrastructure compared with other countries in the
region. Most of the oil Netherlands Antilles imports for its
refineries come from Venezuela. Almost all consumer and capital
goods are imported, the US, Italy, and Mexico being the major
suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the
development of agriculture. Budgetary problems hamper reform of the
health and pension systems of an aging population. The Netherlands
provides financial aid to support the economy.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.8 billion (2004 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):

$NA

GDP - real growth rate:

1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$16,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 1%
industry: 15%
services: 84% (2000 est.)

Labor force:

83,600 (2005)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 1%
industry: 20%
services: 79% (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate:

17% (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Bud