Liechtenstein Business Resources

Economy - overview:
Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with its large European neighbors. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe.

Airlines
Airlines in Europe
Airlines Worldwide

Airports
Airports in Europe
Airports Worldwide

Country Budget
revenues: $424.2 million
expenditures: $414.1 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1998 est.)

Currency (code)
Swiss franc (CHF)

Currency Exchange Rate
Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.2435 (2004), 1.3467 (2003), 1.5586 (2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000)

Fiscal Year
calendar year

GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
GDP (purchasing power parity): $825 million (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 11% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: 40%
services: NA% (1999)

Imports / Exports
Exports: $2.47 billion (1996)
Exports - commodities: small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products
Exports - partners: EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7%

Imports: $917.3 million (1996)
Imports - commodities: agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles
Imports - partners: EU, Switzerland

Industries
electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments

Investing
Forex, Foreign Exchange Market: Currency Trading

Labor Force & Unemployment Rate
Labor force: 29,000 of whom 19,000 are foreigners; 13,000 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (31 December 2001)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 1.3%, industry 47.4%, services 51.3% (31 December 2001 est.)
Unemployment rate: 1.3% (September 2002)