Gross National Product (GNP): US$727m

Exchange rates against the US$ over the last year: 1.97 Belizean dollars (1.97)

SCORE CARD

World GNP ranking: 159th GNP per capita: US$2940 Balance of payments: –US$139m Inflation: 2.2% Unemployment: 13%

Strengths

Sugar, textile manufacture, agriculture, fishing, and considerable tourist potential. Sustainable public debt; fair access to concessionary foreign finance. Free trade zones and offshore banking.

Weaknesses

Narrow export base dependent on preferential market access; reliance on imports of processed foods. Hurricane damage.

EXPORTS

IMPORTS

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004