Gross National Product (GNP): $19bn

Exchange rates against the US$ over the last year: 30.6 Dominican Republic pesos (17.2)

SCORE CARD

World GNP ranking: 67th GNP per capita: $2230 Balance of payments: –$875m Inflation: 5.2% Unemployment: 14%

Strengths

Sustained tourism growth. Mining – mainly of nickel and gold – and sugar major sectors. Hand-made cigars, which are biggest sellers in US. Large hidden economy based on transshipment of narcotics to US.

Weaknesses

Tourism vulnerable to global slumps, such as that after September 11, 2001. Peso falling in value. Massive bank fraud exposed in 2003 – $2.2 billion embezzled. Electricity shortages.

EXPORTS

IMPORTS

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