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Laos

Capital: Vientiane; GDP growth (annual %) 2016: 7.0%

Laos speeds up railway construction machinery import from China

Full steam ahead for the China-Laos railway construction, Laos has speeded up machinery import from China, local daily Vientiane Times reported Monday.

Hundreds of trucks carrying machinery and equipment for construction of the China-Laos railway have entered Laos next being delayed at the border. A appropriate lane has presently been allocated at the Mohan-Boten border crossing point to facilitate the passage of the trucks, project coordinator in northern Lao province Luang Namtha, Chanthachone Keolakhone told Vientiane Times on Friday.
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Higher earning Why a university degree is worth more in some countries than others

A university education may expand your mind. It will as well fatten your wallet. Data from the OECD, a club of rich nations, show that graduates can expect far better lifetime earnings than those without a degree.

The size of this premium varies. It is greatest in Ireland, which has a high GDP per chief and rising inequality. Since 2000 the unemployment rate for under-35s has swelled to 8% for those with degrees – but to additional than 20% for those without, and nearly 40% for secondary school drop-outs. The country’s wealth presently goes disproportionately to workers with letters next their names.
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Global growth will be disappointing in 2016: IMF's Lagarde

World economic increase will be disappointing next year and the outlook for the medium-term has as well deteriorated, the chief of the International Monetary Fund said in a guest article for German newspaper Handelsblatt published on Wednesday.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said the prospect of rising interest rates in the United States and an economic slowdown in China were contributing to uncertainty and a higher risk of economic vulnerability worldwide.

Added to that, increase in world trade has slowed considerably and a decline in raw material prices is posing problems for economies based on these, while the financial sector in a lot of nations still has weaknesses and financial risks are rising in emerging markets, she said.
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hina Shandong Economic & Technical Cooperation Group LTD(SCI),

Key Facts: Full name: Lao People's Democratic Republic
Population: 6.4 million (UN, 2010)
Area: 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles)
Major languages: Lao, French (for diplomatic purposes)
Major religion: Buddhism
Life expectancy: 66 years (men), 69 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 new kip = 100 ath
Main exports: Clothing, timber products, coffee, gold, copper, electricity
GNI per capita: US $1,040 (World Bank, 2010)
Internet domain: .la
International dialling code: +856

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