<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Netherlands Antilles<nl>Economy</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Overview:</hi> Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of the economy. The islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure as compared with other countries in the region. Unlike many Latin American countries, the Netherlands Antilles has avoided large international debt. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with Venezuela and the US being the major suppliers.
<item>• <hi format=ital>production:</hi> 365 million kWh
<item>• <hi format=ital>consumption per capita:</hi> 1,980 kWh (1992)
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<item><hi format=bold>Industries:</hi> tourism (Curacao and Sint Maarten), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao)
<item><hi format=bold>Agriculture:</hi> hampered by poor soils and scarcity of water; chief products—aloes, sorghum, peanuts, fresh vegetables, tropical fruit; not self-sufficient in food
<item><hi format=bold>Illicit drugs:</hi> money-laundering center; transshipment point for South American 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), $513 million