Belize

 

Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs                                          
July 2007                                                                     
                                                                       
  Background Note: Belize                                                     
                                                 
  Boys maneuver boat past pier and                                            
  toward beach of Caye Caulker, Belize.                                       
  December 28, 2005. [© AP Images]                                            
                                                                       
  Flag of Belize is blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom
  edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of 
  arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree   
  with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll
  at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland.                            
                                                                       
  PROFILE                                                                     
                                                                       
  OFFICIAL NAME:                                                              
  Belize                                                                      
                                                                       
  Geography                                                                   
  Area: 22,966 sq. km. (8,867 sq. mi.); slightly larger than Massachusetts.   
  Cities: Capital--Belmopan (2005 pop. est. 13,500) Other cities and          
  towns--Belize City (60,800), Corozal (8,800), Orange Walk (15,300), San     
  Ignacio & Santa Elena (16,800), Dangriga (10,800), Punta Gorda (5,000), and 
  San Pedro (8,400).                                                          
  Terrain: Flat and swampy coastline, low mountains in interior.              
  Climate: Subtropical (dry and wet seasons). Hot and humid. Rainfall ranges  
  from 60 inches in the north to 200 inches in the south annually.            
                                                                       
  People                                                                      
  Nationality: Noun and adjective--Belizean(s).                               
  Population (2006 est.): 299,766.                                            
  Annual growth rate (2006): 3.4%.                                            
  Ethnic groups: Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Mayan.                            
  Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, other Protestant, Muslim,   
  Hindu, and Buddhist.                                                        
  Languages: English (official), Creole, Spanish, Garifuna, Mayan.            
  Education: Years compulsory--9. (2005 est.): Attendance--60%.               
  Literacy--76.5%.                                                            
  Health: (2003): Infant mortality rate--14.8/1,000. Life expectancy--67.4    
  years.                                                                      
  Work force (April 2006, 112,806): Services--60%. Agriculture, hunting,      
  forestry, and fishing--22%. Industry and commerce--16%.                     
                                                                       
  Government                                                                  
  Type: Parliamentary democracy                                               
  Independence: September 21, 1981.                                           
  Constitution: September 21, 1981.                                           
  Branches: Executive--British monarch (head of state), represented by a      
  governor general; prime minister (head of government, 5-year term).         
  Legislative--bicameral National Assembly. Judicial--Supreme Court, Court of 
  Appeal, district magistrates.                                               
  Subdivisions: Six districts.                                                
  Political parties: People's United Party (PUP), United Democratic Party     
  (UDP), National Alliance for Belizean Rights (NABR). National Reform Party  
  (NRP), Vision Inspired By the People (VIP), People's National Party (PNP), We
  the People (WTP).                                                           
  Suffrage: Universal adult.                                                  
                                                                       
  Economy                                                                     
  GDP (2005): $1.79 billion.                                                  
  Annual growth rate (2005): 5.1%; (2004): 9.2%.                              
  Per capita income (2005): $3,650.                                           
  Avg. inflation rate (2006): 4.3%.                                           
  Natural resources: Arable land, timber, seafood, minerals.                  
  Primary sectors (13.1% of GDP, 2005): Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and   
  mining.                                                                     
  Secondary sectors (14.7% of GDP, 2005): Manufacturing, electricity and water
  supply, and construction.                                                   
  Tertiary sectors (63.2% of GDP, 2005): Hotels and restaurants, financial    
  intermediation, and transport and communication.                            
  Trade: Exports (2005)--$212.83 million: cane sugar, clothing, citrus        
  concentrate, lobster, fish, banana, and farmed shrimp. Major markets--U.S.  
  (52.2%), U.K., CARICOM. Imports (2005)--$518.83 million: food, consumer     
  goods, machinery, mineral fuels and lubricants. Major suppliers--U.S. (39%),
  Mexico, U.K.                                                                
  Official exchange rate: Since 1976 Belizean banks have bought U.S. dollars at
  the rate of 2.0175 and sold them at 1.9825, making for an effective fixed   
  rate of Belize $2=U.S. $1.                                                  
                                                                       
  PEOPLE                                                                      
  Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America. It is larger
  than El Salvador and compares in size to the State of Massachusetts. Slightly
  more than half of the population lives in rural areas. About one-fourth live
  in Belize City, the principal port, commercial center, and former capital.  
                                                                       
  Most Belizeans are of multiracial descent. About 48.7% of the population is 
  of mixed Mayan and European descent (Mestizo); 24.9% are of African and     
  Afro-European (Creole) ancestry; about 10.6% are Mayan; and about 6.1% are  
  Afro-Amerindian (Garifuna). The remainder, about 9.7%, includes European,   
  East Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and North American groups.            
                                                                       
  English, the official language, is spoken by virtually all except the       
  refugees who arrived during the past decade. Spanish is the native tongue of
  about 50% of the people and is spoken as a second language by another 20%.  
  The various Mayan groups still speak their indigenous languages, and an     
  English Creole dialect similar to the Creole dialects of the English-speaking
  Caribbean Islands is spoken by most. The rate of functional literacy is 76%.
  About 50% of the population is Roman Catholic; the Anglican Church and other
  Protestant Christian groups account for most of the remaining 50%. Mennonite
  settlers number about 8,500.                                                
                                                                       
  HISTORY                                                                     
  The Mayan civilization spread into the area of Belize between 1500 BC and AD
  300 and flourished until about AD 1200. Several major archeological         
  sites--notably Caracol, Lamanai, Lubaantun, Altun Ha, and                   
  Xunantunich--reflect the advanced civilization and much denser population of
  that period. European contact began in 1502 when Christopher Columbus sailed
  along the coast. The first recorded European settlement was established by  
  shipwrecked English seamen in 1638. Over the next 150 years, more English   
  settlements were established. This period also was marked by piracy,        
  indiscriminate logging, and sporadic attacks by Indians and neighboring     
  Spanish settlements.                                                        
                                                                       
  Great Britain first sent an official representative to the area in the late 
  18th century, but Belize was not formally termed the "Colony of British     
  Honduras" until 1840. It became a crown colony in 1862. Subsequently, several
  constitutional changes were enacted to expand representative government. Full
  internal self-government under a ministerial system was granted in January  
  1964. The official name of the territory was changed from British Honduras to
  Belize in June 1973, and full independence was granted on September 21, 1981.
                                                                       
  GOVERNMENT                                                                  
  Belize is a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster model and is a 
  member of the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and is      
  represented in the country by Governor General Dr. Colville N. Young, Sr., a
  Belizean and Belize's second governor general. The primary executive organ of
  government is the cabinet, led by a prime minister (head of government).    
  Cabinet ministers are members of the majority political party in parliament 
  and usually hold elected seats in the National Assembly concurrently with   
  their cabinet positions.                                                    
                                                                       
  The National Assembly consists of a House of Representatives and a Senate.  
  The 29 members of the House are popularly elected to a maximum 5-year term. 
  The governor general appoints the Senate's 12 members. Six are appointed in 
  accordance with the advice of the prime minister, 3 with the advice of the  
  leader of the opposition. The Belize Council of Churches and the Evangelical
  Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the
  Belize Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil 
  Society Steering Committee each advise the Governor General on the          
  appointment of one senator each. The Senate is headed by a president, who is
  a nonvoting member appointed by the governing party.                        
                                                                       
  Members of the independent judiciary are appointed. The judicial system     
  includes local magistrates, the Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal. Cases
  may, under certain circumstances, be appealed to the Privy Council in London.
  However, in 2001 Belize joined with most members of the Caribbean Common    
  Market (CARICOM) to establish a "Caribbean Court of Justice," which was     
  inaugurated on April 16, 2005. The country is divided into six districts:   
  Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo.                
                                                                       
  POLITICAL CONDITIONS                                                        
  Currently, the Belize Government is controlled by the People's United Party 
  (PUP), which was elected to a second consecutive term in office on March 5, 
  2003. The PUP won 22 of the 29 seats in the House of Representatives, while 
  the United Democratic Party (UDP) won the other seven seats. However, the PUP
  lost one seat in Parliament during a by-election held after the death of a  
  minister in October 2003, but still maintains a comfortable majority. Dean  
  Barrow is the leader of the opposition. The PUP has governed Belize from 1998
  to the present; the UDP from 1993-98; the PUP from 1989-1993; and the UDP   
  from 1984-89. Before 1984, the PUP had dominated the electoral scene for more
  than 30 years and was the party in power when Belize became independent in  
  1981.                                                                       
                                                                       
  The government continues to implement an economic adjustment program, with  
  the aim of (1) increasing revenues, (2) decreasing public sector            
  expenditures, (3) narrowing the fiscal deficit to 1% of GDP, (4) improving  
  the balance of payments, and (5) increasing the country's foreign reserves. 
  Belize's outstanding public debt at the end of 2006 was U.S. $1.10 billion, 
  an amount that is equivalent to approximately 100% of GDP. However, on      
  January 31, 2007 the Government of Belize officially announced that the     
  holders of Belize's public external commercial indebtedness have agreed to  
  exchange their existing claims against the country for new bonds to be issued
  by Belize maturing in 2029. Belize traditionally maintains a deep interest in
  the environment and sustainable development. A lack of government resources 
  seriously hampers these goals. On other fronts, the government is working to
  improve its law enforcement capabilities. A longstanding territorial dispute
  with Guatemala continues, although cooperation between the two countries has
  increased in recent years across a wide spectrum of common interests,       
  including trade and environment. Seeing itself as a bridge, Belize is       
  actively involved with the Caribbean nations of CARICOM, and also has taken 
  steps to work more closely with its Central American neighbors as a member of
  SICA (Central American Integration System).                                 
                                                                       
  Principal Government Officials                                              
  Head of State--Queen Elizabeth II                                           
  Governor General--Sir Colville N. Young, Sr.                                
  Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and the Public Service--Said Musa      
  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries--Vildo Marin
  Minister of Home Affairs, Public Utilities and Housing--Ralph Fonseca       
  Attorney General and Minister of Labor, Education and Culture--Francis      
  Fonseca                                                                     
  Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade--Lisa Shoman                  
                                                                       
  Ambassador to the United States--Nestor Mendez, Chargé d'Affaires, a.i.     
  Ambassador to the OAS--Lisa Shoman                                          
  Ambassador to the United Nations--Janine Coye Felson                        
                                                                       
  Belize maintains an embassy in the United States at 2535 Massachusetts Avenue
  NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel: 202-332-9636; fax: 202-332-6888) and a       
  consulate in Los Angeles. Belize travel information office in New York City:
  800-624-0686.                                                               
                                                                       
  ECONOMY                                                                     
  Forestry was the only economic activity of any consequence in Belize until  
  well into the 20th century when the supply of accessible timber began to    
  dwindle. Cane sugar then became the principal export. Exports have recently 
  been augmented by expanded production of citrus, bananas, seafood, and      
  apparel. The country has about 809,000 hectares of arable land, only a small
  fraction of which is under cultivation. To curb land speculation, the       
  government enacted legislation in 1973 that requires non-Belizeans to       
  complete a development plan on land they purchase before obtaining title to 
  plots of more than 10 acres of rural land or more than one-half acre of urban
  land.                                                                       
                                                                       
  Domestic industry is limited, constrained by relatively high-cost labor and 
  energy and a small domestic market. Some 185 U.S. companies have operations 
  in Belize, including Archer Daniels Midland, Texaco, and Esso. Tourism      
  attracts the most foreign direct investment, although significant U.S.      
  investment also is found in the telecommunications and agriculture sectors. 
                                                                       
  A combination of natural factors--climate, the longest barrier reef in the  
  Western Hemisphere, numerous islands, excellent fishing, safe waters for    
  boating, jungle wildlife, and Mayan ruins--support the thriving tourist     
  industry. Development costs are high, but the Government of Belize has      
  designated tourism as one of its major development priorities. In 2006,     
  tourist arrivals totaled 900,000 (more than 90% from the United States).    
                                                                       
  Belize's investment policy is codified in the Belize Investment Guide, which
  sets out the development priorities for the country. A country commercial   
  guide for Belize is available from the U.S. Embassy's Economic/Commercial   
  section and on the Web at: http://belize.usembassy.gov/                     
  investing_in_belize2.html                                                   
                                                                       
  Infrastructure                                                              
  A major constraint on the economic development of Belize continues to be the
  scarcity of infrastructure investments. As part of its financial austerity  
  measures started in late 2004, the government froze expenditures on several 
  capital projects. Although electricity, telephone, and water utilities are  
  all relatively good, Belize has the most expensive electricity in the region.
  Large tracts of land, which would be suitable for development, are          
  inaccessible due to lack of roads. Some roads, including sections of major  
  highways, are subject to damage or closure during the rainy season. Ports in
  Belize City, Dangriga, and Big Creek handle regularly scheduled shipping from
  the United States and the United Kingdom, although draft is limited to a    
  maximum of 10 feet in Belize City and 15 feet in southern ports. American   
  Airlines, Continental Airlines, U.S. Air, Delta Airlines, and TACA provide  
  international air service to gateways in Dallas, Houston, Miami, Charlotte, 
  Atlanta, and San Salvador.                                                  
                                                                       
  Trade                                                                       
  Belize's economic performance is highly susceptible to external market      
  changes. Although the economy recorded a growth rate of 4.0% in 2006, this  
  achievement is vulnerable to world commodity price fluctuations and         
  continuation of preferential trading agreements, especially with the United 
  States and the European Union (cane sugar) and the United Kingdom (bananas).
                                                                       
  Belize continues to rely heavily on foreign trade, with the United States as
  its number-one trading partner. Imports in 2005 totaled $518.83 million,    
  while total exports were only $212.83 million. In 2005, the United States   
  provided 39% of all Belizean imports and accounted for 52.2% of Belize's    
  total exports. Other major trading partners include the United Kingdom,     
  European Union, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) member
  states.                                                                     
                                                                       
  Belize aims to stimulate the growth of commercial agriculture through       
  CARICOM. However, Belizean trade with the rest of the Caribbean is small    
  compared to that with the United States and Europe. The country is a        
  beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) program, which forms part
  of the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act--signed into law by       
  President Clinton on May 8, 2000--a comprehensive U.S. Government program   
  designed to stimulate investment in Caribbean nations by providing duty-free
  access to the U.S. market for most Caribbean products. Significant U.S.     
  private investments in citrus and shrimp farms have been made in Belize under
  CBI. U.S. trade preferences allowing for duty-free re-import of finished    
  apparel cut from U.S. textiles have significantly expanded the apparel      
  industry. European Union (EU) and U.K. preferences also have been vital for 
  the expansion and prosperity of the sugar and banana industries. However,   
  these two markets face considerable World Trade Organization (WTO)          
  challenges.                                                                 
                                                                       
  NATIONAL SECURITY                                                           
  The Belize Defense Force (BDF), established in January 1973, is comprised of
  a light infantry force of regulars and reservists along with small air and  
  maritime wings. The BDF, currently under the command of Brigadier General   
  Lloyd Gillett, assumed total defense responsibility from British Forces     
  Belize (BFB) on January 1, 1994. The United Kingdom continues to maintain the
  British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) to assist in the         
  administration of the Belize Jungle School. The BDF receives military       
  assistance from the United States and the United Kingdom.                   
                                                                       
  FOREIGN RELATIONS                                                           
  Belize's principal external concern has been the dispute involving the      
  Guatemalan claim to Belizean territory. This dispute originated in Imperial 
  Spain's claim to all "New World" territories west of the line established in
  the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. Nineteenth-century efforts to resolve the
  problems led to later differences over interpretation and implementation of 
  an 1859 treaty intended to establish the boundaries between Guatemala and   
  Belize, then named British Honduras. Guatemala contends that the 1859 treaty
  is void because the British failed to comply with all its economic assistance
  clauses. Neither Spain nor Guatemala ever exercised effective sovereignty   
  over the area.                                                              
                                                                       
  Negotiations have been underway for many years, including one period in the 
  1960s in which the U.S. Government sought unsuccessfully to mediate. A 1981 
  trilateral (Belize, Guatemala, and the United Kingdom) "Heads of Agreement" 
  was not implemented due to continued contentions. Belize became independent 
  on September 21, 1981, with the territorial dispute unresolved. Significant 
  negotiations between Belize and Guatemala, with the United Kingdom as an    
  observer, resumed in 1988. Guatemala recognized Belize's independence in    
  1991, and diplomatic relations were established.                            
                                                                       
  Eventually, on November 8, 2000, the two parties agreed to respect an       
  "adjacency zone" extending one kilometer east and west from the border.     
  Around this time, the Government of Guatemala insisted that the territorial 
  claim was a legal one and that the only possibility for a resolution was to 
  submit the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). However, the   
  Government of Belize felt that taking the case to the ICJ or to arbitration 
  represented an unnecessary expense of time and money. So the Belizean       
  Government proposed an alternate process, one under the auspices of the OAS.
                                                                       
  Since then, despite efforts by the OAS to jumpstart the process, movement has
  been limited to confidence-building measures between the parties. Both      
  countries now seem receptive to referring the dispute to the International  
  Court of Justice for a binding decision.                                    
                                                                       
  In order to strengthen its potential for economic and political development,
  Belize has sought to build closer ties with the Spanish-speaking countries of
  Central America to complement its historical ties to the English-speaking   
  Caribbean states. For instance, Belize has joined the other Central American
  countries in signing the Conjunta Centroamerica-USA (CONCAUSA) agreement on 
  regional sustainable development, and on January 1, 2007 assumed the        
  presidency of SICA (Central American Integration System) for a 6-month      
  period. Belize is a member of CARICOM, which was founded in 1973. It became a
  member of the OAS in 1990.                                                  
                                                                       
  U.S.-BELIZEAN RELATIONS                                                     
  The United States and Belize traditionally have had close and cordial       
  relations. The United States is Belize's principal trading partner and major
  source of investment funds. It is also home to the largest Belizean community
  outside Belize, estimated to be 70,000 strong. Because Belize's economic    
  growth and accompanying democratic political stability are important U.S.   
  objectives, Belize benefits from the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative.       
                                                                       
  International crime issues dominate the agenda of bilateral relations between
  the United States and Belize. The United States is working closely with the 
  Government of Belize to fight illicit narcotics trafficking, and both       
  governments seek to control the flow of illegal migrants to the United States
  through Belize. Belize and the United States brought into force a Stolen    
  Vehicle Treaty, an Extradition Treaty, and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty 
  between 2001 and 2003.                                                      
                                                                       
  The United States is the largest provider of economic assistance to Belize, 
  contributing $2.5 million in various bilateral economic and military aid    
  programs to Belize in FY 2006. Of this amount, nearly half a million dollars
  was provided by the U.S. Military Liaison Office. The U.S. Agency for       
  International Development (USAID) closed its Belize office in August 1996   
  after a 13-year program during which USAID provided $110 million worth of   
  development assistance to Belize. Belize still benefits from USAID regional 
  programs. In addition, during the past 42 years, almost 2,000 Peace Corps   
  volunteers have served in Belize. As of April 2007, the Peace Corps had 58  
  volunteers working in Belize. Until the end of 2002, Voice of America       
  operated a medium-wave radio relay station in Punta Gorda that broadcast to 
  the neighboring countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The U.S. 
  military has a diverse and growing assistance program in Belize that included
  the construction and renovation of several schools and youth hostels, medical
  assistance programs, and drug reduction programs. Private North American    
  investors continue to play a key role in Belize's economy, particularly in  
  the tourism sector.                                                         
                                                                       
  Principal U.S. Officials                                                    
  Ambassador--Robert J. Dieter                                                
  Deputy Chief of Mission--Leonard A. Hill                                    
  Economic/Political Officer--Thomas Wise                                     
  Consul--Kimberly Valdes-Dapena, Acting                                      
  Management Officer--vacant                                                  
  Military Liaison Officer--LTC Tammy McNamara                                
                                                                       
  The U.S. Embassy is located in the City of Belmopan on Floral Park Street.  
  The mailing address is P.O. Box 497, Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize, Central
  America: tel: 011-501- 822-4011 from the United States or 822-4011 locally; 
  fax: 011-501-822-4012 Main number; 822-4053 Administrative Office; 822-4050 
  Consular Section. E-mail address: embbelize@state.gov, Web site address:    
  http://belize.usembassy.gov/.                                               
                                                                       
  Other useful contacts                                                       
  Caribbean/Latin American Action                                             
  1818 N Street, NW                                                           
  Washington, DC 20036                                                        
  Tel: 202-466-7464                                                           
  Fax: 202-822-0075                                                           
                                                                       
  U.S. Department of Commerce                                                 
  International Trade Administration                                          
  Office of Latin American and the Caribbean                                  
  14th & Constitution, NW                                                     
  Washington, DC 20230                                                        
  Tel: 202-482-1658; 202-USA-TRADE                                            
  Fax: 202-482-0464                                                           
                                                                       
  TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION                                             
  The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program advises Americans
  traveling and residing abroad through Consular Information Sheets, Public   
  Announcements, and Travel Warnings. Consular Information Sheets exist for all
  countries and include information on entry and exit requirements, currency  
  regulations, health conditions, safety and security, crime, political       
  disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.
  Public Announcements are issued to disseminate information quickly about    
  terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas that  
  pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Travel Warnings
  are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel 
  to a certain country because the situation is dangerous or unstable.        
                                                                       
  For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad  
  should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet
  web site at http://www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution,
  Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Consular Affairs    
  Publications, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a
  safe trip abroad, are also available at http://www.travel.state.gov. For    
  additional information on international travel, see http://www.usa.gov/     
  Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml.                                  
                                                                       
  The Department of State encourages all U.S citizens who traveling or residing
  abroad to register via the State Department's travel registration website or
  at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Registration will make your
  presence and whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an 
  emergency and will enable you to receive up-to-date information on security 
  conditions.                                                                 
                                                                       
  Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained 
  by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or the regular   
  toll line 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S. and Canada.           
                                                                       
  The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S. Department of   
  State's single, centralized public contact center for U.S. passport         
  information. Telephone: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778). Customer service   
  representatives and operators for TDD/TTY are available Monday-Friday, 7:00 
  a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.           
                                                                       
  Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for 
  Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP
  (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the
  most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements,
  and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. A   
  booklet entitled "Health Information for International Travel" (HHS         
  publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S. Government       
  Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800.                 
                                                                       
  Further Electronic Information                                              
  Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://          
  www.state.gov, the Department of State web site provides timely, global     
  access to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background    
  Notes and daily press briefings along with the directory of key officers of 
  Foreign Service posts and more. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
  provides security information and regional news that impact U.S. companies  
  working abroad through its website http://www.osac.gov                      
                                                                       
  Export.gov provides a portal to all export-related assistance and market    
  information offered by the federal government and provides trade leads, free
  export counseling, help with the export process, and more.                  
  STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides   
  authoritative economic, business, and international trade information from  
  the Federal government. The site includes current and historical            
  trade-related releases, international market research, trade opportunities, 
  and country analysis and provides access to the National Trade Data Bank.   

 

***********************************************************
See http://www.state.gov/r/pa/bgn/ for all Background notes
************************************************************
To change your subscription, go to http://www.state.gov/misc/echannels/66822.htm