US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador J. Gary COOPER
embassy: Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, 3rd floor,
Kingston
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [1] (809) 929-4850 through 4859
FAX: [1] (809) 926-6743
Flag: diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles -
green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side)
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Key sectors in this island economy are bauxite (alumina and bauxite account for more than half of exports) and tourism. Since assuming office in 1992, Prime Minister PATTERSON has consolidated the market-oriented reforms initiated by his predecessor, Michael MANLEY, to make Jamaica a regional leader in economic reform. PATTERSON has eliminated most price controls, streamlined tax schedules, and privatized government enterprises. Tight monetary and fiscal policies under an IMF program have helped slow inflation and stabilize the exchange rate, but, as a result, economic growth has slowed down and unemployment remains high. Jamaica's medium-term prospects depend largely on its ability to continue to attract foreign capital and limit speculation against the Jamaican dollar.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 0.8% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 7.9% industry: 28.1% services: 64% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25.5% (1995)
Labor force: 1,062,100 by occupation: services 41%, agriculture 22.5%, industry 19%, unemployed 17.5% (1989)