US diplomatic representation: no official presence since the
Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados)
Flag: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the
upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
@Saint Lucia:Economy
Overview: Though foreign investment in manufacturing and information processing in recent years has increased Saint Lucia's industrial base, the economy remains vulnerable due to its heavy dependence on banana production, which is subject to periodic droughts and tropical storms. Indeed, the destructive effect of Tropical Storm Debbie in mid-1994 caused the loss of 60% of the year's banana crop. Increased competition from Latin American bananas will probably further reduce market prices, exacerbating Saint Lucia's need to diversify its economy in coming years, e.g., by expanding tourism, manufacturing, and construction
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $610 million (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 2% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $4,200 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.8% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 25% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $121 million
expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of $104
million (1992 est.)