Montserrat

Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998 but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcanic activity and on public sector construction activity. The UK has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remain uninhabitable for another decade.

$29 million (2002 est.)

$NA

-1% (2002 est.)

$3,400 (2002 est.)

NA

6% (1998 est.)

NA%

2.6% (2002 est.)

6.5% (31 December 2009)

6.5% (31 December 2008)

9.04% (31 December 2009 est.)

9.89% (31 December 2008 est.)

$14.13 million (31 December 2009)

$14.51 million (31 December 2008)

$69.63 million (31 December 2009)

$62.13 million (31 December 2008)

$9.93 million (31 December 2008 est.)

$5.537 million (31 December 2007 est.)

cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products

tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances

NA%

22 million kWh (2007 est.)

20.46 million kWh (2007 est.)

0 kWh (2008 est.)

0 kWh (2008 est.)

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

521 bbl/day (2007 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

$700,000 (2001 est.)

electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes, live plants; cattle

$17 million (2001); $17 million

machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials

$8.9 million (1997)

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)