SCASSA; Embassy at Gabourel Lane and
Hutson Street, Belize City (mailing address is P. O. Box 286, Belize
City); telephone [501] 77161 through 77163

_#_Flag: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom
edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat
of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany
tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the
Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland

_*_Economy
_#_Overview: The economy is based primarily on agriculture and
merchandising. Agriculture accounts for more than 30% of GDP and provides
75% of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for almost
40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading partner, is
assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with an agricultural
diversification program.

_#_GDP: $290 million, per capita $1,320; real growth rate 9% (1990
est.)

_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1990 est.)

_#_Unemployment rate: 12% (1988)

_#_Budget: revenues $87.4 million; expenditures $130.5 million,
including capital expenditures of $53.5 million (FY90 est.)

_#_Exports: $108 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.);

commodities--sugar, clothing, seafood, molasses, citrus, wood and
wood products;

partners--US 47%, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada (1987)

_#_Imports: $204 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.);

commodities--machinery and transportation equipment, food,
manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals;

partners--US 55%, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Mexico (1987)

_#_External debt: $169 million (December 1990)

_#_Industrial production: growth rate 9.7% (1989); accounts for
16% of GDP

_#_Electricity: 34,700 kW capacity; 90 million kWh produced,
410 kWh per capita (1990)

_#_Industries: garment production, citrus concentrates, sugar
refining, rum, beverages, tourism

_#_Agriculture: accounts for 30% of GDP (including fish and forestry);
commercial crops include sugarcane, bananas, coca, citrus fruits;
expanding output of lumber and cultured shrimp; net importer of basic
foods

_#_Illicit drugs: an illicit producer of cannabis for the
international drug trade; eradication program cut marijuana
production from 200 metric tons in 1987 to 66 metric tons in 1989;
transshipment point for cocaine

_#_Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $104
million; Western