Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Roy AUSTIN embassy: 15 Queen's Park West,
P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain telephone:
Flag description: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the
upper hoist side
Economy Trinidad and Tobago
Economy - overview: Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses. A leading performer in the past 4 years has been the booming natural gas sector. Tourism is a growing sector, although not proportionately as important as in many other Caribbean islands. The expected recovery of the global economy, along with anticipated higher oil prices, are plus factors for 2002. Negative factors are persistent high unemployment and the political uncertainties following the contentious selection of a new government in December 2001.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.6 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $9,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.6% industry: 43.2% services: 55.2% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line: 21% (1992 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.6% (2001 est.)