Anguilla Government & Economy

Government

In 1980, Anguilla formally separated from the State and became a British Dependent Territory with a Governor to represent the Crown. A new constitution was introduced in 1982, providing for a Governor, an Executive Council comprising four elected Ministers and two ex-officio members, and an 11-member legislative House of Assembly presided over by a Speaker. In 1990 the constitution was amended to give the Governor responsibility for international financial affairs. A new post of Deputy Governor was created, to replace the Permanent Secretary for Finance as a member of the Executive Council and House of Assembly.

Anguilla, Government House
Main switchboard: (1) (264) 497 2621/2
Telephone: (1) (264) 497 2621/2 Governor/EA
(1) (264) 497 3312/3 HOGO
(1) (264) 497 2621/2 Staff Officer
Fax: (1) (264) 497 3314
Email: gove...@gov.ai
Office hours:1200-1600/1700-2000 GMT
0800-1200/1300-1600 Local Time

House of Assembly:
elections last held 16 March 1994 (next to be held March 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total, 7 elected) ANA 2, AUP 2, ADP 2, independent 1

Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Some areas which fall under Economic Statistics include:

Government Finances
Tourism
Transportation
Trade
Utilities and Manufacturing

Economy

The main economic activities used to be livestock raising, lobster fishing, salt production and boat building, but tourism is now the major generator of foreign exchange and employment. There are some 800 rooms available in guest houses, villas and apartments and hotels, although the number is steadily rising. The hurricane season in 1995 caused havoc to the industry. Total visitor arrivals fell by 15%, with stopover visitors falling by 16.5% from 1994. Gdp declined in 1995 after a growth rate of 8.1% in 1994. Since then, however, growth has picked up to 3.4% in 1996 and 6.5% in 1997 as the number of visitors has recovered. Growth has been led by tourism, construction, communications and financial services. 1999 was another year of healthy gdp growth of 8.2%, but Hurricane Lenny at the end of the year meant that growth would be slower in 2000 at around 5.6%.

There is some offshore banking and the Government aims to establish a reputable offshore financial services industry. Thirty out of the 43 offshore banks, who pay an annual licence fee to the Government, had their licences cancelled in 1990 following a review of the sector. At end-1991 the House of Assembly approved legislation to tighten control of offshore finance, giving the Governor complete and final authority over the granting of licences. New financial services legislation enacted in late 1994 and a new marketing strategy led to an increase of 23 in the number of registered offshore financial companies that year.

Previously, high levels of unemployment led to migration to other Caribbean islands and further afield, but the unemployment rate has fallen from 26% in 1985 to almost nil and shortages of labour have delayed expansion programmes, as well as putting pressure on prices and wages. Work permits have been granted to more than 1,000 non-Anguillans, but many people have two jobs. Workers’ remittances are crucial, particularly since the 1984 suspension of budgetary support in the form of UK grants-in-aid, although the British Government does still provide aid for the development programme, along with other donors such as the EU and the Caribbean Development Bank. There is no income tax and the Government gets its revenues from customs duties, bank licences, property and stamps.

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Anguilla Government & Economy

Government

Economy

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