Growth averaged around 9% per year from 1993 to 1997. The 1997 Asian financial crisis highlighted the problems in the Vietnamese economy and temporarily allowed opponents of reform to slow progress towards a market oriented economy. GDP growth of 8.5% in 1997 fell to 6% in 1998 and 5% in 1999. Growth then rose to 7% in 2000-04 even against the background of global recession. Since 2001, however, Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to economic liberalization and international integration. They have moved to implement the structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. However, equitization of state-owned enterprises and reduction in the proportion of non-performing loans has fallen behind schedule. Vietnam’s membership in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and entry into force of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade in December 2001 have led to even more rapid changes in Vietnam’s trade and economic regime. Vietnam’s exports to the US doubled in 2002 and again in 2003. Vietnam is working toward accession to the WTO in 2005. Among other benefits, accession will allow Vietnam to take advantage of the phase out of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, which eliminated quotas on textiles and clothing for WTO partners on 1 January 2005. Vietnam is working to promote job creation to keep up with the country’s high population growth rate. However, in 2004, high levels of inflation prompted Vietnamese authorities to tighten monetary and fiscal policies. GDP: purchasing power parity – $227.2 billion (2004 est.) GDP – real growth rate: 7.7% (2004 est.) GDP – per capita: purchasing power parity – $2,700 (2004 est.) GDP – composition by sector: agriculture: 21.8%
industry: 40.1%
services: 38.1% (2004 est.) Labor force: 42.98 million (2004 est.) Labor force – by occupation: agriculture 63%, industry and services 37% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.9% (2004 est.) Population below poverty line: 28.9% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 29.9% (1998) Distribution of family income – Gini index: 36.1 (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.5% (2004 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 36.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Budget: revenues: $10.66 billion
expenditures: $13.09 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8 billion (2004 est.) Public debt: 65.9% of GDP (2004 est.) Agriculture – products: paddy rice, coffee, fish and seafood, rubber, cotton, tea, pepper, soybeans, cashews, sugar cane, peanuts, bananas, poultry Industries: food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, coal, steel, paper Industrial production growth rate: 16% (2004 est.) Electricity – production: 34.48 billion kWh (2002) Electricity – production by source: fossil fuel: 43.7%
hydro: 56.3%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (2001) Electricity – consumption: 32.06 billion kWh (2002) Electricity – exports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity – imports: 0 kWh (2002) Oil – production: 359,400 bbl/day (2004 est.) Oil – consumption: 185,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil – exports: NA Oil – imports: NA Oil – proved reserves: 650 million bbl (2004 est.) Natural gas – production: 1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas – consumption: 1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas – exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas – imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas – proved reserves: 192.6 billion cu m (2004) Current account balance: $-2.061 billion (2004 est.) Exports: $23.72 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.) Exports – commodities: crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments, shoes Exports – partners: US 19.8%, Japan 13.7%, China 8.4%, Australia 7%, Germany 5.7%, Singapore 4.8%, UK 4.6% (2004) Imports: $26.31 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.) Imports – commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles Imports – partners: China 13.6%, Japan 11.5%, Singapore 11.5%, Taiwan 10.2%, South Korea 9.8%, Thailand 6.7%, Hong Kong 4.4%, US 4.1%, Malaysia 4.1% (2004) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.51 billion (2004 est.) Debt – external: $16.55 billion (2004 est.) Economic aid – recipient: $2.8 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 2000 (2004) Currency (code): dong (VND) Currency code: VND Exchange rates: dong per US dollar – 15,746 (2004), 15,510 (2003), 15,280 (2002), 14,725 (2001), 14,168 (2000) Fiscal year: calendar year

More about Vietnam Economy

Of the 1.4 million entrants, about 50,000 qualify for recognition. Two-thirds of those qualified receive Letters of Commendation; the remainder become Semifinalists, about 94% of whom go on to become Finalists. Over half of the Finalists are selected to receive scholarships underwritten by corporations and business organizations, colleges and universities, and by NMSC with its own funds.

Program entry requirements

To enter the competition, a student must

• be enrolled full time as a high school student progressing normally toward completion of high school and planning to enroll full time in college in the fall following the completion of high school;
• be a citizen of the United States or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident who intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law, or have applied for permanent residency with the intention of becoming a U.S. citizen at the earliest possible opportunity and have not been denied; and
• take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in the specified year of the high school program, usually the junior (11th grade) year and usually at one’s own school. Students completing high school in three (3) years or less must be in the last or next-to-last year of high school when they take the test. Students unable to take the exam because of an extenuating circumstance, such as severe illness or natural disaster, may be permitted to substitute subsequent SAT results by making arrangements with NMSC no later than March 1 following the exam that was missed.

What Is An Associate Degree

You can achieve an associate degree by following a two year undergraduate study, which generally requires at least 60 semester credit hours in any field of choice from legal studies, medicine, chemistry and other science subjects.

Previously, you could only acquire an associate degree through the traditional ways due to the practical classes that need to be completed but, today, online studies have absorbed this area as well.

Get A Distance Learning Associate Degree

Internet has made our lives so much better as you can virtually do anything on the internet from completing your education to shopping, researching and so on, the list is endless. Distance learning degrees are yet another way in which Internet helps us be better quicker and in a way convenient to us.

Most people who choose a distance learning associate degree is because they do not have the time to attend a traditional college, spend time commuting to and from the class as well as attend the class at a preset time. Internet makes getting educated easy and thus, you too can get an associate degree and step up in life by following your dreams.

Helpful Tips

Research everything about the distance learning center before you enroll as some of them are not accredited and that is other words translated that your diploma will not be recognized. Getting a distance learning associate degree is not hard as you get to attend classes from the comfort of your home but, it is not easy either as you will need to make time to study and pass all exams in order to get your diploma therefore, research before you invest your time and money.

Some online education centers will even help you work out the finances in order for you to achieve your dream and enroll to get a distance learning associate degree and step up in life. Education is the only possession no one can ever take away from you. Visit Distance Degree Online for your Distance Learning Resources.

Sound like too much? If you are scared it would be difficult, it is just not true.  It is easy to build solar panels with the proper instructions.  Easy enough for kids, teens and adults.  The parts aren’t complicated either.  Most of the supplies you would need to build solar panels are available at your local hardware store or you can purchase a solar panel kit, which will include all the parts you require to be generating your own energy from the sun.  It is possible to construct several small solar panels to power small appliances or small tools in your workshop.  Or for the very adventurous and determined alternative energy seeker, you could build solar panels to service a much larger electric load.

There are many resources and guides available with detailed instructions on how to build solar panels.  The first and most important step is to seek out quality detailed instructions.  Then it is off to your local hardware store to find or order your supplies and next thing you know, or the next time you have some free time, you will be able to assemble and install the system yourself.  Watch out though, the neighbors may start asking you to build solar panels for them too.

Not only is it going to save you money to build solar panels yourself, but you can feel proud that you are doing your part for the environment as well.  Declaring your independence from fossil fuels and making a much-needed impact on the world and in your neighborhood.

Professional solar power systems can cost thousands to be installed and in today’s economy most of us don’t have money to spare.  Make the choice to go solar today and learn to build solar panels on your own.  It will be savings you can be proud of.

Planning a wedding is a great deal of fun, but it also requires a significant amount of planning. Once you have set your date, one of the first wedding details you should turn your attention toward is the selection of your wedding invitations. While at one time traditional wedding invitations appeared only as white or ivory with engraved black in, today there are numerous options available for the modern bride. Due to the wide variety of designs and styles in wedding invitations available, you’ll want to get started early in choosing the perfect wedding invitations.

There are numerous factors that will affect your choice of wedding invitation. The first question you should ask yourself is whether you are planning to have a formal, semi-formal or casual wedding ceremony because the type of ceremony you plan will impact your choice of invitations.

Regardless of whether you choose formal, semi-formal or casual invitation, generally, wedding invitations include the invitation itself as well as a reception card, response card, separate envelope for the response card, detailed information on accommodations for guests and riving directions and important telephone numbers.

Be aware that while there are literally thousands of styles and designs of invitations available for the choosing, there are only six basic types of invitations. These include:

• Engraved
• Thermo graphed
• Printed
• Calligraphy
• Handed colored
• Box set

Engraved invitations are the most classic and traditional choice of invitations available. They are also the most expensive type of invitations on the market; however, if you are planning a very formal wedding, engraved invitations are an absolute must. Keep in mind that you should order your engraved invitations no less than 8 weeks from the date of your wedding, preferably farther in advance.

Thermo graphed invitations provide an affordable alternative to engraved invitations. The end result is a very elegant look and while thermo graphed invitations might not be appropriate for a very formal wedding, they would work well for a semi-formal wedding. Plan on ordering these invitations at least six weeks in advance.

Printed invitations are one of the most popular choices on the market and are very cost efficient. You can find a wide variety of printed invitations available through most stationary and printer vendors as well as on-line wedding invitations vendors. While the turn around time for printed invitations is typically better than engraved or thermographed options, you should still plan on ordering your printed invitations at least 4-6 weeks in advance. Printed invitations are appropriate for semi-formal and casual weddings.

One option in printed invitations that is definitely gaining favor is the alternative of purchasing ‘blank’ invitations from printed stationary retailers and then printing your own information. This gives you the option of choosing the design you want and saving a few dollars by handling the printing on your own.

Calligraphed invitations are very elegant and work well for weddings with an old fashioned theme. They can be very expensive; however, due to the amount of time and effort involved in producing them. When deciding on whether to choose calligraphy invitations remember that you need to allow extra time for preparation, plan on additional cost and keep in mind that this type of invitation may smudge if it comes in contact with even a slight amount of moisture. Calligraphy invitations are appropriate for all types of weddings except very formal events.

Hand made invitations are gaining in popularity not only because they are cost efficient but because they add a nice personal touch to a very special occasion. There are numerous options for creating hand made invitations and basically the sky is the limit with choices. Just remember to plan on making additional invitations in case of mistakes and allow plenty of time, especially during this hectic time of your life. Handmade invitations are appropriate for most weddings except very formal events. Handmade invitations can also be easily generated with desktop publishing programs and attractive stationary.

Box set invitations are available at most stationary retailers and can provide an quick and easy alternative to other types of invitations. This type of invitation can also be easily dressed up for a unique and personal touch.

Regardless of which type of invitation you ultimately choose, do be sure to allow plenty of time for printing and an additional two weeks for mailing. Also, consider interesting and unique ways you add a personal touch to your wedding invitations, such as unique wording and verses.

We highly recommend this Wedding Invitations Specialist for your consideration. Best luck.

]]> http://getnowornever.com/choose-wedding-invitations/feed/ 0 http://getnowornever.com/solar-power/ http://getnowornever.com/solar-power/#comments Sun, 07 Jun 2009 07:33:41 +0000 hungsika http://getnowornever.com/?p=488 Solar power is a safe and popular alternative source of energy. In simple words, solar power refers to the energy generated from sunlight. There are different methods for harnessing solar energy for your day-to-day needs. In recent years, there has been increased interest and talk about the benefits of solar power. The increased interest in solar power largely due to three factors: one is our escalating energy bills, second is our depleting fossil fuel reserves, and finally the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels.

Solar power addresses the concerns quite well because it uses sunlight for generating energy, which is available free, and it is harmless to the environment. This is why many domestic and commercial establishments are switching to solar power to meet their energy requirements. Moreover, solar power is of great value for use in remote locations where you do not have conventional sources of power. Solar power is also widely used by owners of Recreational Vehicles (RV) and luxury boats.

Solar Power at your home

Solar power is being noticed for its widespread use at homes. Solar powered lights are quite common for garden lighting and some people are using it even for indoor lighting. Solar power is undoubtedly a viable energy source for your home because it has no recurring cost and a very low, almost negligible, maintenance cost.

Photovoltaic Tiles for Your Home

The big concern regarding the use of solar power is the bulky size of solar panels. However, this concern has largely been addressed with the development of small solar photovoltaic cells and the solar photovoltaic roof shingles. The solar photovoltaic roof shingles or tiles look quite similar to your normal roof shingles and provide you the freedom from large solar panels.

You can use photovoltaic tiles to supply electrical power for your home use. This electrical power can be used to heat water, and even heat your house. Some people also use solar power to heat the pool. The solar power generated by the PV shingles is just like the normal power you use for your everyday needs.

Solar Water Pumps

Solar power is being used to power water pumps in remote areas. Although windmills used to be the main source of power for the water pumps, recently the solar power has increasingly become the preferred source.

The government provides grants to people for purchase and installation of solar power devices such as solar energy panels and solar photovoltaic singles. Using solar power really gives you a double benefit as you are not only preventing environmental damage but also you are also cutting down your electricity bills. If you are not able to use solar power for your house on your own, you still have the option of buying the solar power from the grid.

Power4home is best guidance for set up a solar Power and Win Energy System at home. Visit Power4home Review to read a FREE report and find out the truth about this  Solar Power Systems before you join!

The colors varies depending on its botanical source, the most common is dark brown. Propolis shape is sticky at and above room temperature. At lower temperatures it becomes hard and very brittle.

For centuries, beekeepers assumed that bees sealed the beehive with propolis to protect the colony from the elements, such as rain and cold winter drafts. However, 20th century research has revealed that bees not only survive, but also thrive, with increased ventilation during the winter months throughout most temperate regions of the world.

Propolis is now believed to:

• reduce vibration
• reinforce the structural stability of the hive
• prevent diseases and parasites from entering the hive
• make the hive more defensible by sealing alternate entrances
• prevent putrefaction within the hive. Bees usually carry waste out of and away from the hive. However if a small lizard or mouse, as example, found its way into the hive and died there, bees may be unable to carry it out through the hive entrance. In that case, they would attempt instead to seal the carcass in propolis, essentially mummifying it and making it odorless and harmless.

You can find another article at Propolis

I took the plunge about a week ago. The site is very professional and well designed, it is called web cash secret system. Would you like to get many free training and videos? register there and you will free materials of training.

if you pay for a reasonable and affordable price, you will authorize to get 2 professional web packages where they will installed it in a sub domain or you can host it through your own domain and you are given an authorization to promote web cash secret system, ebay product, amazon product, and google adsense, you will get full training from professional advisor and one on one coaching.

What are the other benefits? you will get a tutorial handbook for finishing 14 steps to get you certified to use media placement on your 2 web packages. What you need to do is only driving traffic to your web, and the system will handle to follow up the prospective client, the advisors will handle all communication, training, calling the student, etc.

Is that all the benefits? No, there are plenty of benefits given to you such as:

• You can start making big cash within short period if you are following up the steps. And you can earn while you are learning.
• It is your choise to set your own hours.
• Making money 24/7, and huge potential of earning
• You do not need to sell.
• No Inventory
• No experience required. The advisor level I and level II will coach you one on one.
• Be Your own boss
• Huge Potential Tax Deduction
• Thousand of merchant need your help, and the advisor will guide you how to help the merchant.
• And much more.

If you had given up for trying many programs that did not work in the past, just take tour on the web cash secret media placement. It is a free registration with no time limitation, where you can get free daily tutorial and free video to how to make money online, and you can make a call to get advisor coaching.

Power4Home was the brainchild of John Russel, an experienced home energy consultant that has pioneered the new way of generating renewable energy. His creation has been in numerous “best of” lists ever since it was released so it cannot be all bad, can it?

What Is Power4Home?

Power4Home is effectively a step by step guide to building do it yourself renewable energy systems. It contains instructions for building both solar panels and wind turbines, both of which are fully illustrated and incredibly clear in terms of the language and what it is that you are supposed to be doing! There is no jargon because the guide is meant to be suitable for beginners as well as those with a little technical knowledge. Russel deliberately tailors his guide for anyone looking to learn quickly and benefit financially, which is exactly why it works.

Power4Home is supposed to be one of the most effective and efficient DIY renewable energy systems available today… and I have to say that I agree with that assessment. There are a few negatives with the system, as with any other product out there because nothing is perfect, but it does have advantages over the competition. For example, the steps outlined in the guide are so precise that they put other systems to shame. It is absolutely impossible to go wrong providing that you take precise notice of the instructions.

The finished solar panels built from the Power4Home instructions are very effective, incredibly efficient and start saving you money straight away. The whole thing was a joy to put together and posed no problems at all. That was down to the instructions in the guide rather than my expertise, or lack thereof!

Positives

There are so many positives I found for Power4Home that it would take forever to list them here. As such, a few of those I found to be the most important are listed below:

• The Power4Home guide is broken down into three distinct and very separate sections so you can find it much easier to actually put everything together. There is no possible way to confuse the instructions at all, which is why this is the best design possible.
• The illustrations and photos are crystal clear and the instructions precise, more so than with any of the other systems out there so there is absolutely no confusion.
• It only takes a day to build the entire system so you can start saving right away.
• The eBooks are packed full of hints and tips, including plenty on maintenance so you should be able to protect your investment in the coming years.

Negatives

As previously stated, I did find a few slight negatives. None are really major concerns but it is worth knowing about them in advance:

• The focus is definitely on the solar panel so the wind turbine is slightly neglected. If you want to build a solar panel then this is not an issue but if you do want to build the turbine then prepare to spend more time on it.
• The support is adequate but email responses are not always quick so you might be left hanging for a while if you have a problem with it.

Should You Get The Power?

Power4Home is certainly an interesting investment for anybody looking to create their own generator and thus help save the planet! Renewable energy is certainly the way forward so you have to be committed to getting your solar panels built, but the guide does make it that little bit easier. Power4Home is definitely one of the more effective guides out there and is not as expensive as some at just $49.97. For that you get the guide, several bonuses that could enhance your green life and the best, most precise instructions around. For this reason, Power4Home is worth the asking price and much more in terms of the money you can save via renewable energ

Now visit Power4Home to find out the truth about this Wind And Solar Power Systems.