<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Martinique<nl>Economy</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Overview:</hi> The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 10% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 10%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration. Banana workers launched protests late in 1992 because of falling banana prices and fears of greater competition in the European market from other producers.
<item><hi format=bold>Agriculture:</hi> including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 10% of GDP; principal crops—pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane for rum; dependent on imported food, particularly meat and vegetables
<item><hi format=bold>Illicit drugs:</hi> transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe
<item><hi format=bold>Economic aid:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>recipient:</hi> Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $10.1 billion
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<item><hi format=bold>Currency:</hi> 1 French franc (F)=100 centimes
<item><hi format=bold>Exchange rates:</hi> French francs (F) per US$1—5.9305 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
<item><hi format=bold>Fiscal year:</hi> calendar year