Economy : Page 924

Norway's exports fall 6.7% in 2015 thanks to low oil prices

January 16, 2016 Norway's exports decreased by 6.7 percent in 2015 mainly due to low oil prices while imports rose sharply by 9.5 percent, the statistics bureau said.

Commercial mortgage returns rebound in Q3 2015

January 16, 2016 Commercial mortgage loans held by life insurance companies posted a 1.62% total return in third quarter 2015, bouncing back from second quarter's negative 1.23% performance.

Platts China Steel Sentiment Index remains low in January

January 16, 2016 Chinese steel market participants expect new orders to remain subdued over January, though they see some improvement in price levels for both long and flat steel products.

Taiwan's exports set to grow 2 percent or more this year

January 16, 2016 Taiwan's exports will grow between 2 and 2.3 percent in 2016, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) said in a press conference.

U.S. retail sales unexpectedly down in December

January 15, 2016 U.S. retail sales unexpectedly fell in December as warm weather undercut sales of winter apparel and cheaper gasoline brought less to service stations.

German economy expands most in four years

January 15, 2016 The German economy grew the most in four years in 2015 as feeble inflation, record low unemployment and wage growth boosted household spending.

Foreign direct investment in Latvia 7.29 billion euros

January 15, 2016 In 2015, the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Latvian companies capital grew by 85.76 million euros to 7.29 billion euros, according to Lursoft.

60% of world's population excluded from digital economy

January 15, 2016 A new World Bank report says that while digital technologies are spreading rapidly throughout the developing world, 60% of the world's population remains excluded from the digital economy.

Developing economies in the Asia-Pacific region grew 4.5%

January 15, 2016 Economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region is neither robust nor inclusive enough to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

EBRD invested over €1.4 billion in the SEMED region

January 14, 2016 In 2015 the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested over €1.4 billion in 37 projects across the southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED), where it began investments in 2012.

Inflation in France rises 0.2 percent in December

January 14, 2016 Inflation in France returned to positive rates last December after the stability of the previous month, going up by 0.2 percent compared with the same month in 2014, said the National Institute of Statistics.

Trinidad to cut value added tax to 12.5 percent

January 14, 2016 The government of Trinidad and Tobago will reduce the rate of value added tax from 15 percent to 12.5 percent effective February 1, a Finance Ministry official confirmed to EFE.