Diplomatic representation: Second Secretary, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Marc R. MARENGO; Chancery (temporary) at 820 Second Avenue, Suite 201, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 687-9766; US—Ambassador James MORAN; Embassy at 4th Floor, Victoria House, Victoria (mailing address is Box 148, Victoria, or APO New York 09030); telephone 23921 or 23922
Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (wavy), and green; the white band is the thinnest, the red band is the thickest
- Economy Overview: In this small, open tropical island economy, the tourist industry employs about 30% of the labor force and provides the main source of hard currency earnings. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the high dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing.
GDP: $255 million, per capita $3,720; real growth rate 6.2%; (1988 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (1988)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1986)
Budget: revenues $106 million; expenditures $130 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (1987)
Exports: $17 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities—fish, copra, cinnamon bark, petroleum products (reexports); partners—France 63%, Pakistan 12%, Reunion 10%, UK 7% (1987)
Imports: $116 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities—manufactured goods, food, tobacco, beverages, machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products; partners—UK 20%, France 14%, South Africa 13%, PDRY 13%, Singapore 8%, Japan 6% (1987)
External debt: $178 million (December 1988)