inique's Heritage (ecologist)

Member of: FZ, WCL, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of France)

US diplomatic representation: the post closed in August 1993 (overseas
department of France)

Flag: the flag of France is used

@Martinique:Economy

Overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and
light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 10% of GDP and the
small industrial sector for 10%. Sugar production has declined, with
most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana
exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat,
vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a
chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from
France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as
a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is
employed in the service sector and in administration. Banana workers
launched protests late in 1992 because of falling banana prices and
fears of greater competition in the European market from other
producers.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $3.9 billion (1993
est.)

National product real growth rate: NA%

National product per capita: $10,000 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1990)

Unemployment rate: 32.1% (1990)

Budget:
revenues: $610 million
expenditures: $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1991)

Exports: $247 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples
partners: France 57%, Guadeloupe 31%, French Guiana (1991)

Imports: $1.75 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities: petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction
materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods
partners: France 62%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US (1991)

External debt: $NA

Industrial production: growth rate NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 113,100 kW
production: 700 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,677 kWh (1993)

Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism

Agriculture: including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 10% of
GDP; principal crops - pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers,
vegetables, sugarcane for rum; dependent on imported food,
particularly meat and vegetables

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for
the US and Europe