)

International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of
France)

US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France)

Flag: a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by a
white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the
flag of France is used for official occasions

Economy
-------

Economic overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas,
tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 6% of
GDP and the small industrial sector for 11%. Sugar production has
declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of
rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk
of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported,
contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual
transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than
agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority
of the work force is employed in the service sector and in
administration. Banana workers launched protests late in 1992
because of falling banana prices and fears of greater competition in
the European market from other producers.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.95 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $10,000 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 11%
services: 83% (1992 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1990)

Labor force: 121,600
by occupation: agriculture 10%, industry 17%, services 73% (1992)

Unemployment rate: 32.1% (1990)

Budget:
revenues: $657 million
expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992 est.)

Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 113,100 kW
production: 761 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,677 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables,
sugarcane for rum

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound
for the US and Europe

Exports: $218 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples
partners: France 57%, Guadeloupe 31%, French Guiana (1991)

Imports: $1.76 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities: petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construc