Economic
The sugar industry which was once the mainstay of the The only major industry is an economy, collapsed in 1971.
oil refinery (West Indies uil Company), the products of which accounted for nearly EC$48 million out of total domestic exports of EC$50 million in 1973. However, because of continuing high
The Govern- losses the refinery was "mothballed" in early 1976. ment have now acquired it with a view to bringing it back on
stream.
The state relies heavily on the tourist industry which is
The soil and the most developed in the Associated States. climate suit livestock rearing and cotton production and these two fields have development potential though probably not to any significant scale. Fruit and vegetable production could also be improved and projects aimed at producing both for export and for The frequency of serious drought local consumption are in hand.
is a major problem.
Aid
Antigua receives capital aid from the United Kingdom. Levelopment aid has been concentrated on water supplies and the agricultural sector.