ocratic Party (SDP), CHEE Soon Juan; Workers'
Party (WP), J. B. JEYARETNAM; National Solidarity Party (NSP), C. K.
TAN; Singapore People's Party (SPP), CHIAM See Tong

International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS
(pending member), C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNIKOM,
UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee
chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100
FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Timothy A. CHORBA
embassy : 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508
mailing address: FPO AP 96534
telephone: [65] 476-9100
FAX: [65] 476-9340

Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white;
near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white
crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing
five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle

Economy

Economy - overview: Singapore has an open economy with strong service
and manufacturing sectors and excellent international trading links
derived from its entrepot history. A slump in global demand for
electronics slowed Singapore's export growth in 1996, and as a result,
real GDP grew 6.5%, down from 8.9% in 1995. The government predicts
growth will be in the 5%-7% range in 1997. Rising labor costs continue
to be a threat to Singapore's competitiveness, and the government's
strategy to address this problem includes increasing productivity,
improving infrastructure, and encouraging higher value-added
industries. In applied technology, per capita output, investment, and
labor discipline, Singapore has key attributes of a developed country.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $72.2 billion (1996 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 6.5% (1996)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $21,200 (1996 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NEGL%
industry: 28%
services : 72%

Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.3% (1996)

Labor force:
total: 1.801 million (1996 est.)
by occupation : financial, business, and other services 33.5%,
manufacturing 25.6%, commerce 22.9%, construction 6.6%, other 11.4%
(1994)

Unemployment rate: 2.7% (1996 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $18.5 billion
expenditures: $1