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Iran qualifies CNPC to Total for bidding on crude, natural gas projects

  Bloomberg Iran qualified 29 international oil companies to bid in upcoming tenders for crude and natural gas development projects as the Persian Gulf state seeks investment in energy. China National Petroleum Corp., Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Total SA are among the companies that will be invited to bid in tenders, according to a list published on the website ...

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Singapore GDP growth surges to three-year high

  Bloomberg Singapore’s economic growth quickened to the fastest pace in more than three years last quarter as manufacturing and services rebounded. Gross domestic product rose an annualized 9.1 percent in the three months to December from the previous quarter, when it declined a revised 1.9 percent, the trade ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. The median estimate of ...

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Infosys, Wipro leaders warn of challenging times for Indian IT

  Bloomberg The leaders of two of India’s largest technology services companies, Infosys Ltd. and Wipro Ltd., have warned employees that their industry faced a grave threat from rising political and economic conflict around the world. Employees need to innovate and bring out their best to survive, Infosys Chief Executive Officer Vishal Sikka said in a year-end note to staff. ...

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Australian house prices rise most in 7 years on low rates

  Bloomberg Australian house values increased at the fastest pace in seven years in 2016, as record-low interest rates helped fuel demand for property despite warnings such price increases may be unsustainable. The average dwelling value in the nation’s eight state and mainland territory capitals rose 10.9 percent last year, compared to 7.8 percent in 2015, data from CoreLogic Inc. ...

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China’s factories, services cap year of gains as prices move upwards

  Bloomberg China’s factories and services both closed out 2016 on relatively robust notes that signal growth is strong enough for policy makers to keep pushing for economic reforms in 2017. The manufacturing purchasing managers index stabilized near a post-2012 high in December, edging down to 51.4 from 51.7 the prior month. The non-manufacturing PMI slipped to 54.5 from a ...

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China eases 2,000-year-old monopoly on its salt sector

  Bloomberg China has started an overhaul of its salt industry, easing a monopoly that has existed in some form for more than 2,000 years and predates the Great Wall. New regulations went into effect at the start of this year. Under a plan published by China’s State Council last year, government regulators will allow private companies to enter the ...

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German inflation jumps to fastest since ‘13 on oil prices

  Bloomberg The pace of German inflation more than doubled in December, driven by a surge in oil that is set to mask continued weakness in underlying price pressures in the months ahead. Consumer prices rose 1.7 percent from a year ago, recording the biggest jump on record, the Federal Statistics Office in Wiesbaden said on Tuesday. Economists surveyed by ...

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Pound drop boosts UK manufacturing, pushes up factories’ costs

    Bloomberg UK manufacturing grew at the fastest pace in 2 and a 1/2 years in December, helped by the pound’s deprec- iation since the vote to leave the European Union. After dipping sharply in the wake of the Brexit referendum — dropping below the key 50 level in July — the IHS Markit Purchasing Managers Index has since ...

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UK labour market could feel the strain in 2017

  Bloomberg The outlook for Britain’s labour market is “fairly bleak” amid the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and low levels of productivity, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Slower growth, lower real wages and increasing precariousness in the workforce will be the major challenges for the UK government and businesses over the next 12 months, the CIPD said. ...

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Finland’s unemployed to get $587 per month

  Bloomberg Finland has become the first country in Europe to pay its unemployed citizens a basic monthly income, amounting to 560 euros ($587), in a unique social experiment which is hoped to cut government red tape, reduce poverty and boost employment. Olli Kangas from the Finnish government agency KELA, which is responsible for the country’s social benefits, said Monday ...

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