Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General David JACK
(since 29 September 1989)
head of government: Prime Minister James F. MITCHELL (since 30 July
1984); the governor general appoints the leader of the majority
party to the position of prime minister; Deputy Prime Minister
Carlyle DOUGAN (since 17 September 1995) was appointed by the
governor general on the advice of the prime minister
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on the advice
of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly: elections last held 21 February 1994 (next to be
held NA July 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(21 total, 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators) NDP
12, ULP 3
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint
Lucia)
Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party (NDP), James
F. MITCHELL; United People's Movement (UPM), Adrian SAUNDERS;
National Reform Party (NRP), Joel MIGUEL; Unity Labor Party
(ULP),Vincent BEACHE - formed by the coalition of Saint Vincent
Labor Party (SVLP) and the Movement for National Unity (MNU)
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, OAS,
OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kingsley C.A. LAYNE
chancery: 1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 102, Washington, DC
20036
telephone: [1] (202) 462-7806, 7846
FAX: [1] (202) 462-7807
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the Ambassador to Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines resides in Bridgetown (Barbados)
Flag: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double
width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged
in a V pattern
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of the economy. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. The government has been relatively unsuccessful at introducing new industries, and high unemployment rates of 35%-40% continue. The continuing dependence on a single crop represents the biggest obstacle to the islands' development; tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in both 1994 and 1995.