the latest edition of Bermuda Facts and Figures, the Statistics Department's annual quick reference guide to the Island and its economy.

The just-released pocket size publication of data from 1991 to 1993 shows the economy bending and sagging during the recession years of 1991 and 1992 and the first glimmers of recovery by the end of 1993.

Retail sales, bank assets and imports all grew in 1993 following two years of stagnation and decline.

Government customs duties revenues rose to $123 million following a $9-million drop in 1992 from $125 million in 1991.

Consumer spending also rose during 1993, the last year for statistics in Facts & Figures. It shows spending at $1,157,200 in 1991 and rising to $1,197,000 in 1993.

The statistics, however, indicate spending was being geared to necessities only. Clothing and footwear expenditures, for example, declined steadily from 1991 to $48.6 million from $56.5 million in 1991.

Facts & Figures also shed light on the recession squeezing people and businesses.

The construction industry saw nearly 400 workers leave its ranks, falling from a high of 2,100 in 1991 to 1,747 in 1993.

Retail businesses, many of which bore the brunt of people having less money to spend, saw the ranks of their workers fall to 4,746 from 5,108 in 1991. The purging of Portuguese workers is also indicated in statistics showing employment in agriculture, fishing and quarrying falling by nearly 50 to 491 in 1993.

Government's effort to move into the breach with make-work programmes and social assistance is also recorded.

Facts and Figures shows total Government spending rising to $377.8 million in 1992/1993 from $342.4 million in 1990/1991.

Government building projects also jumped dramatically during the period to $51.8 million from $34.4 million.

One sector of the economy that showed the recession had no affect on employment was banks, insurance and business services. It employed 5,403 people in 1993, up from 4,744 in 1991 and 5,203 in 1992.

The number of international companies based in Bermuda also indicates that the international sector was not as negatively affected by the recession as most other sectors of the economy.

International companies continued to grow in numbers 7,115 in 1991, 7,297 in 1992 and 7,604 in 1993.