362-5225
consulate(s) general: Miami

US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador
to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda

Flag: red with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top
edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of
black (top), light blue, and white with a yellow rising sun in the
black band

Economy
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Economic overview: Tourism continues to be by far the dominant
activity in the economy but the combined share in GDP of transport
and communications, trade, and public utilities has increased
markedly in recent years. Tourism's direct contribution to output in
1994 was about 20%. In addition, increased tourist arrivals helped
spur growth in the construction and transport sectors. The dual
island nation's agricultural production is mainly directed to the
domestic market; the sector is constrained by the limited water
supply and labor shortages that reflect the pull of higher wages in
tourism and construction. Manufacturing - which accounts for 3.5% of
GDP - comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products
being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for
economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income
growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which
accounts for about half of all tourist arrivals.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $425 million (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4.2% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita: $6,600 (1994 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.5%
industry: 19.3%
services: 77.2% (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (1994)

Labor force: 30,000
by occupation: commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry
7% (1983)

Unemployment rate: 5%-10%(1995 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $134 million
expenditures: $135.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995)

Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing,
alcohol, household appliances)

Industrial production growth rate: -4.9% (1993 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 52,100 kW
production: 95 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,242 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts,
cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock

Illicit drugs: a long-time but relatively minor transshipment