Anguilla

Anguilla

Basic Information

Flag:
Status: British Overseas Territory
Area: 90 sq km
Population: 12,200 (2003 estimate).
Capital City: The Valley
Languages: English
Religion(s): Christianity
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) (although the US $ is accepted)
Major political parties: Anguilla United Front; Anguilla United Movement; Anguilla Progressive Party; Anguilla National Strategic Alliance.
Governor: His Excellency Mr Alan Huckle
Chief Minister: The Honourable Osbourne Fleming

Geography

Anguilla is the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean. The island is sixteen miles long and a maximum of three miles wide. It enjoys clear seas and some of the best beaches in the region. The island itself is predominantly flat and covered with low scrub. Anguilla's capital and administrative centre is the Valley (population 1,400). Its primary ports of entry are Wallblake Airport and Blowing Point Ferry Terminal. The nearest neighbouring islands are French St Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten 5 miles to the south and the British Virgin Islands 25 miles to the west.

History

Colonised by British and Irish settlers in 1650, Anguilla was administered as a single federation with St Kitts and Nevis from 1958 to 1962. The islanders, believing their interests were being ignored and wishing to retain their direct links with Britain, sought separation from the federation in the 1960s. This disquiet culminated in the revolution of 1967. Anguilla came under direct British rule in the 1970s and eventually became a separate British Dependent Territory in 1980.

Politics

Constitutional Status

Anguilla is an internally self-governing UK Overseas Territory with a ministerial system of government. The 1982 Constitution (amended in 1990) provides for a Governor, an Executive Council and a House of Assembly. The Governor, appointed by HM The Queen, has reserved powers in respect of legislation, and is responsible for external affairs, offshore finance, defence and internal security (including the police force) and the public service.

The Executive Council comprises the elected government plus two Ex-Officio Members (Attorney General and Deputy Governor). The House of Assembly comprises twelve members: Speaker, seven elected Members, two Nominated and the two ex-officio Members. Elections are held at least every five years.

Government

Governor's Office:

Governor: His Excellency Mr Alan Huckle
Deputy Governor: Mr Mark Capes
Staff Officer: Mr Joe Legg
Executive Assistant: Angela Finn
Government House: Old Ta, Anguilla
Tel: (00) (1) (264) 497 2621/2622
Fax: (00) (1) (264) 497 3314

Government Ministers

The Hon Osbourne Fleming: Chief Minister and Minister for Labour, Immigration, Lands and Physical Planning, Environment, Gender Affairs

The Hon Victor Banks: Minister for Finance, Economic Development, Tourism, Investment and Commerce

The Hon Kenneth Harrigan: Minister for Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, Housing, Agriculture and Fisheries The Hon Niel Rogers: Minister for Social Development

Recent Political Developments

The last general election was held on 21 February 2005. The election saw a 74.6% turn-out of the 7,500 strong electorate. The seven existing members of the House of Assembly were re-elected except for Eric Reid who did not stand. His seat was won by Niel Rogers. The government is made up of four members of the Anguilla United Front (Osbourne Fleming, Victor Banks, Kenneth Harrigan and Niel Rogers).

Elections

The next election is due by March 2010.

Economy

Basic Economic Facts

GDP: EC$ mn 678 (2003)
GDP per head: US$ 7,736 (2003 estimate)
Annual Growth: –3.3% (2003)
Recurrent Revenue: EC$115.7m (2004)
Recurrent Expenditure: EC$94m (2004)
Major Industries: Tourism Sector, Government Service, Banks and Insurance and Construction
Major trading partners: North America (mainly USA), Caribbean Region (Caricom, St. Martin/St. Maarten and other Caribbean)
Exchange rate: US$ = EC$ 2.682

International Relations

Anguilla's Relations with Neighbours

Anguilla is an associate member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Anguilla's Relations with the International Community

HMG is responsible for Anguilla's external relations.

Anguilla's Relationship with the UK

Diplomatic Representation

HMG are responsible for Anguilla's external relations, defence and internal security. The principal point of contact is Overseas Territories Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Governor's Office, Government House, Anguilla.

Anguilla Representative to the Overseas Territories Association in the UK

Mr Robert Williams
Tel: 01494 447 033

UK Development Assistance

A new Strategic Country Programme was negotiated between the British Government and the Government of Anguilla in June 2000. This put in place an agreed strategic framework setting out the respective responsibilities of the two governments and how they would work together towards the sustainable development of the territory across a wide range of sectors. The SCP was reviewed in early 2002.

The current planned UK aid programme, administered by the Department for International Development (DFID) for Anguilla is £4.75m up to 2003/04. Anguilla also benefits from DFID-funded regional OT projects. On 5 November 2003 it was announced that following a review of aid to Middle Income Countries, DFID’s bilateral aid to Anguilla will cease on 30 March 2005. HMG is working closely with the Government of Anguilla (GoA) to ensure that all existing programmes are fully spent by this deadline. Emergency aid in the event of a natural or man-made disaster is also available. The Anguilla aid programme follows the aims of the DFID White Paper, i.e. to support economic growth and self-sufficiency through sensible economic growth and financial management; and to help ensure that basic needs are met. DFID's main sectors of interest are education, health and good governance.

The FCO, through its Good Government Fund (GGF), supports projects that contribute to the maintenance of stability and security as well as the promotion of accountable government. The main focus of GGF expenditure in Anguilla is devoted to enhancing the capabilities of the Law enforcement agencies, including the prison service. Recent projects have included the repair and re-fitting of the police launch, the computerisation of Immigration and Customs facilities at the airport, and the construction of a new wing at the prison to relieve overcrowding.

Trade and Investment with the UK

UK Exports (fob value or Re-exports and Domestic Exports EC$): 33,529 (2003)
UK Imports (cif value of Imports EC$): 2,767,382 (2003)