[Tlc] L-economic news

[justinm at ucr.edu]

FYI.
Thanks,
justin

2008-0104 - VOA - Laos: 2007 - Very Successful Year with
Economic Growth Rate of 8%

http://www.voanews.com/lao/2008-01-04-voa3.cfm?rss=topstories

Laos: 2007 - Very Successful Year with Economic Growth Rate of 8%
By Songrit Pongern
04/01/2008

Songrit reports in Lao from Bangkok, 1.11 MB
Listen to Songrit reports in Lao from Bangkok, 1.11 MB

Lao authorities say 2007 was a very successful year for Laos.
Achievements were made in many sectors, especially in the area
of economic development with the gross domestic products
growing at an average rate of 8 percent, and investments
totalling more than 1.1 billion dollars.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the 8%
economic growth rate translates into a per capita income of
$678, an increase of $235 from last year. There were a total
of 191 investment projects - 85% of which are foreign
investments - with an aggregate value of over 1,137 million
dollars. And for the first time in 32 years, Laos had a trade
surplus, with exports totalling $977 millions and imports
totalling $916 millions.

Meanwhile, the National Tourism Authority reports that 1.4
million foreign tourists visited Laos last year, bringing a
revenues of over $200 millions to the service sector.

The Lao National Assembly also claims success in its fourth
ordinary session which adjourned on December 26, 2007, after
adopting one amended law on forestry and seven new laws on
counter-narcotics, intellectual property, aquatics and
wildlife, sports, merchandise standardization, fire
prevention, and trade unions. National Assembly president
Thongsing Thammavong says the laws were democratically passed,
with all lawmakers actively participating in the debate. The
public was also allowed to sit in, observe, comment and
express their opinions during the debate. And the media were
permitted to cover and report on the meetings.

Another successful story for Laos in 2007 was in sports, Lao
athletes performed better than previous years in the 24th SEA
Games in Ratchasima, Thailand, snatching 5 gold medals, 7
silver, and 32 bronze.

Listen to our Laos Today report for more details in Lao.
__._,_.___

______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
2617 Humanities Building
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu