Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals (1999)

Imports - partners: US 31.6%, South Korea 18.2%, Italy 17.4%, Japan 5.8% (2000)

Debt - external: $381.9 million (2000)

Economic aid - recipient: $9.8 million (1995)

Currency: Bahamian dollar (BSD)

Currency code: BSD

Exchange rates: Bahamian dollars per US dollar - 1.000 (fixed rate pegged to the dollar)

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Communications Bahamas, The

Telephones - main lines in use: 96,000 (1997)