Political parties and leaders: People's National Movement (PNM),
Patrick MANNING; United National Congress (UNC), Basdeo PANDAY;
National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), Nizam MOHAMMED; Movement
for Social Transformation (MOTION), David ABDULLAH; National Joint
Action Committee (NJAC), Makandal DAAGA; National Development Party
(NDP), Carson CHARLES; Movement for Unity and Progress (MUP), Hulsie
BHAGGAN
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES,
NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Michael A. ARNEAUD chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490 FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward E. SHUMAKER, III embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain telephone: [1] (809) 622-6372 through 6376, 6176 FAX: [1] (809) 628-5462
Flag description: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side
@Trinidad and Tobago:Economy
Economy-overview: Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses. Successful economic reforms were implemented in 1995, and foreign investment and trade are flourishing. Unemployment - a main cause of the country's socio-economic problems-is high, but has decreased to its lowest point in five years. The country enjoys a healthy trade surplus, yet its heavy dependence on oil and petrochemical prices makes its trade balance vulnerable to sudden shifts. Tourism is a major foreign exchange earner, with 260,000 arrivals in 1995, 80% from Europe.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$13.2 billion (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 3.1% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$10,400 (1996 est.)