08
telephone: [1] (202) 939-9218, 9219
FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467
consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
consulate(s): Los Angeles

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jeanette W. HYDE
embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street,
Bridgetown
mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055
telephone: [1] (809) 436-4950
FAX: [1] (809) 429-5246

Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the
trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the
colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)

@Barbados:Economy

Overview: A per capita income of $9,200 gives Barbados one of the
highest standards of living of all the small island states of the
eastern Caribbean. Historically, the economy was based on the
cultivation of sugarcane and related activities. In recent years,
however, the economy has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. A
moderate recovery that began in late 1993 after 3 years of contraction
is mainly due to increased tourism and expansion in the construction
sector. Economic prospects for 1995 depend mostly on continued growth
in the industrialized countries, especially in Europe, which would
spur further expansion in tourism.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (1994
est.)

National product real growth rate: 3% (1994 est.)

National product per capita: $9,200 (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1994 est.)

Unemployment rate: 20.5% (1994 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $509 million
expenditures: $636 million, including capital expenditures of $86
million (FY94/95 est.)

Exports: $161 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages,
chemicals, electrical components, clothing
partners: US 13%, UK 10%, Trinidad and Tobago 9%, Windward Islands 8%

Imports: $703 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities: consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction
materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components
partners: US 36%, UK 11%, Trinidad and Tobago 11%, Japan 3%

External debt: $652 million (1991 est.)

Industrial production: growth rate 2% (FY93/94 est.); accounts for
about 10% of GDP

Electricity:
capacity: 152,100 kW
production: 510 million kWh
consumption per capita: 1,841 kWh (1993)

Industrie