The Caribbean

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar
Language: English
Capital: Kingstown

Government and Politics

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth of Nations. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and is represented on the island by a governor general, an office with mostly ceremonial functions. Control of the government rests with the prime minister and the cabinet.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are a full & participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Economy

GDP is growing at an annual rate of approximately 4%. In the past the country's economy was based on income from sugar and bananas, although tourism has since superceded agriculture as St Vincent's biggest earner. Major trading partners are The Caribbean, UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Guyana.

The International Airport to be built at Argyle (proposed completion by 1911) will improve accessibility to the island and bring further economic growth from increased tourism and exports. 

The tourism sector has considerable potential for development over the next decade. The recent filming of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies on the island has also helped to increase tourism and expose the country to the wider world. Recent growth has been stimulated by strong activity in the construction sector and an improvement in tourism.