G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC,
SPF, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO

Diplomatic representation in US: Tonga does not have an embassy in
the US; Ambassador Sione KITE, resides in London
consulate(s) general: San Francisco

US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga

Flag: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper
hoist-side corner

Economy
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Economic overview: The economy's base is agriculture, which
contributes 40% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans
are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of
total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its
food, mainly from New Zealand. The manufacturing sector accounts for
only 11% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency
earnings, but the country also remains dependent on sizable external
aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit. The economy
continued to grow in 1993-95 largely because of a rise in squash
exports, increased aid flows, and several large construction
projects. The government is now turning its attention to further
development of the private sector and the reduction of the budget
deficit.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $228 million (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $2,160 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 40% (1995 est.)
industry: NA%
services: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993)

Labor force: 32,013 (1990 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 70% (1995 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $44 million
expenditures: $86 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)

Industries: tourism, fishing

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 6,000 kW
production: 30 million kWh
consumption per capita: 231 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa,
coffee, ginger, black pepper

Exports: $20.3 million (f.o.b., FY93/94)
commodities: squash, vanilla, fish, root crops, coconut oil
partners: Japan 59%, US 14%, Australia 6%, NZ 6% (FY93/94)

Imports: $57.8 million (c.i.f., FY93/94)
commodities: food products, machinery and transport equipment,
manufactures, fuels, chemicals
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