green garland

@Belize, Economy

Overview:
The economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry,
and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming increasing
importance. Agriculture accounts for about 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.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $550 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
5.3% (1992)
National product per capita:
$2,700 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.5% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
15% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$126.8 million
expenditures:
$123.1 million, including capital expenditures of $44.8 million (FY91
est.)
Exports:
$116 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
sugar, citrus, clothing, fish products, bananas, molasses, wood
partners:
US 51%, UK, other EC (1992)
Imports:
$273 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, food, manufactured goods,
fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
partners:
US 57%, UK 8%, other EC 7%, Mexico (1992)
External debt:
$143.7 million (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate 3.7% (1990); accounts for 12% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
34,532 kW
production:
90 million kWh
consumption per capita:
393 kWh (1992)
Industries:
garment production, citrus concentrates, sugar refining, rum,
beverages, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 30% of GDP (including fish and forestry); commercial
crops include sugar cane, bananas, coca, citrus fruits; expanding
output of lumber and cultured shrimp; net importer of basic foods
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine; an illicit producer of cannabis for
the international drug trade; eradication program cut marijuana
production from 200 metric tons in 1987 to about 50 metric tons in
1991
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $104 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $215
million
Currency:
1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.00 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Belize, Communications

Highways:
total:
2,710 km
paved: