_*Economy #_Overview: The economy is largely dependent on trade; imported components average 60% of the value of goods consumed in the domestic market. Rapid growth of free trade zones has established a significant expansion of manufacturing for export, especially wearing apparel. Over the past decade tourism has also increased in importance and is a major earner of foreign exchange and a source of new jobs. Agriculture remains a key sector of the economy. The principal commercial crop is sugarcane, followed by coffee, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco. Domestic industry is based on the processing of agricultural products, durable consumer goods, minerals, and chemicals. Unemployment is officially reported at about 30%, but there is considerable underemployment. An increasing foreign debt burden and galloping inflation are the economy's greatest weaknesses.
_#_GDP: $6.68 billion, per capita $940; real growth rate 4.2% (1989)
_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 70% (1990 est.)
_#_Unemployment rate: 29% (1990 est.)
_#_Budget: revenues $413 million; expenditures $522 million, including capital expenditures of $218 million (1988)
_#_Exports: $922 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.);
commodities—sugar, coffee, cocoa, gold, ferronickel;
partners—US 60%, EC 19%, Puerto Rico 8% (1990)
_#_Imports: $1.9 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.);
commodities—foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals;