MALE -- The Maldives' real gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 13.5 percent in 2021, local media citing projections by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) reported here Friday.
A report by the MMA said that the island country's real GDP growth would recover in 2021 following a projected decline of 29.3 percent in 2020 due to COVID-19 impacts on tourism, construction industry and related economic activities. (Maldives-GDP Growth-Projection)
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DAKAR -- Senegalese President Macky Sall said Thursday night that the country's economy avoided a recession in 2020 thanks to a good harvest and 2021 will be a year of economic recovery.
Senegal, one of the countries with the most robust economic growth in Africa in several years, has witnessed a drastic drop in the economic growth rate this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the president said in his New Year message to the nation. (Senegal-Economy)
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WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday rejected again to hold a vote on a standalone bill to boost stimulus checks to 2,000 U.S. dollars for individuals from 600 dollars, which had been approved by the Democrats-held House of Representatives.
"Washington Democrats took President Trump's suggestion and skewed it so the checks would benefit even more high-earning households," McConnell said on the Senate floor, adding the COVID-19 pandemic had affected rich and poor Americans differently. (U.S.-Stimulus checks)
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BEIJING -- Starting from next year, China will allow the import of recycling iron and steel materials that meet the national standard since they do not constitute solid waste, authorities said on Thursday.
Strict requirements on import management of recycling iron and steel materials were stipulated, according to a notice jointly issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), the National Development and Reform Commission, the General Administration of Customs, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. (China-Recycling Steel-Import) Enditem
