Angeles
consulate(s): New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador George Charles BRUNO
embassy: Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City
mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Belize City; APO: Unit 7401, APO AA
34025
telephone: [501] (2) 77161 through 77163
FAX: [501] (2) 30802

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
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Economic overview: The small, essentially private enterprise
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.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $575 million (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita: $2,750 (1994 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 30%
industry: NA
services: NA (1995 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (1994 est.)

Labor force: 51,500
by occupation: agriculture 30%, services 16%, government 15.4%,
commerce 11.2%, manufacturing 10.3%
note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel
(1985)

Unemployment rate: 10% (1993 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $126.8 million
expenditures: $123.1 million, including capital expenditures of
$44.8 million (FY90/91 est.)

Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism,
construction

Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (1990)

Electricity:
capacity: 34,532 kW
production: 110 million kWh
consumption per capita: 490 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish,
cultured shrimp

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; an illicit
producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor
money-laundering center

Exports: $115 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: sugar, citrus fruits, bananas, clothing, fish products,