Big rise for HSBC boss 'blocked'

Mr Geoghan has relocated to Hong Kong

HSBC has given in to shareholder pressure and decided not to sharply raise its chief executive's base salary, according to reports.

The bank had consulted investors on plans to increase Michael Geoghegan's salary by 36% to about £1.4m ($2.2m), the Financial Times said.

But shareholders felt a pay rise went against current trends of showing restraint on pay, the FT added.

An HSBC spokesman declined to comment on the reports.

He said the bank would publish full remuneration details of its executives on 1 March in its annual report.

"It's important to note that HSBC has not taken any taxpayer money and we have been profitable, generated capital, paid dividends and very much remained open for business throughout the crisis," the spokesman added.

However some argue that while HSBC did not directly benefit from the rescue of the banking sector, it still benefited from the general stabilisation of the financial system by the UK government's intervention.

A source close to HSBC said its executive directors had seen their salaries frozen last year.

It is understood that Mr Geoghegan will still be entitled to his bonus of up to four times his salary - a maximum of £4.3m.

Asia focus

There has been public and political anger at banker bonuses and pay after the financial crisis.

Earlier this week, the chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, Eric Daniels, decided to waive his £2.3m bonus for 2009.

That followed the decision by Stephen Hester, chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland, to forego his 2009 bonus. RBS is 84% taxpayer-owned.

HSBC had also proposed increasing the salary of finance director Douglas Flint from £700,000 to £900,000, the FT said.

Earlier this year Mr Geoghegan said he was relocating to Hong Kong in order to provide greater focus on the bank's Asian operations.

Toyota president says recall-hit firm 'grew too fast'

I, more than anyone, wish for Toyota's cars to be safe, and for our customers to feel safe when they use our vehicles Akio Toyoda, Toyota president

Toyota's rapid expansion might have prompted safety issues which have led to 8.5 million vehicles being recalled, the carmaker's president has said.

Ahead of an appearance before a US congressional hearing on Wednesday, Akio Toyoda said the firm's growth "may have been too quick".

He added that "priorities became confused" as the carmaker grew.

The reputation of Toyota has been severely damaged by a string of major problems across a range of vehicles.

The main issues have been faulty accelerator pedals, accelerator pedals getting stuck in floor mats, and a problem with braking systems on its hybrid models.

Personal apology

Mr Toyoda, the grandson of the company's founder, said that he took a personal responsibility for improving the quality of Toyota cars.

"All the Toyota vehicles bear my name. For me, when the cars are damaged, it is as though I am as well. I, more than anyone wish for Toyota's cars to be safe, and for our customers to feel safe when they use our vehicles."

ANALYSIS Adam Brookes BBC News, Washington James Lentz, it transpires, is no engineer. Although he is US head of Toyota, he told the committee decisions about quality control, engineering and recalls are all made in Japan. Members of Congress appeared bemused at this news. And when Rep Dingell of Michigan fired a series of technical questions, Mr Lentz was utterly unable to reply. Rep Dingell - from the car state, of course - was merciless. Mr Lentz took on an air of helplessness. Soon after, he told Rep Rush of Illinois how he understood the pain of the victims' families. He choked up remembering his own brother's death in a car accident. It was a moment made for TV, but did not dissipate the feeling that Mr Lentz was the wrong man in the wrong seat. Congress has not yet accepted that Toyota understands why these cars surged out of control. The committee is groping for the rest of the story.

And he added: "We pursued growth over the speed at which we were able to develop our people and our organisation and we should be sincerely mindful of that."

Mr Toyoda said he was "deeply sorry" for accidents which had occurred and made a personal apology to the family of Mark Saylor, a California highway patrol officer killed along with his wife, daughter and brother-in-law in a crash that led to renewed US government scrutiny of problems with acceleration in some models.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee also heard from Rhonda Smith - who fought back tears as she told of a "near death" experience in October 2006 after the Toyota Lexus she was driving would not slow down.

Mrs Smith said the company "chose to blatantly ignore" her concerns and told politicians that both Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had dismissed her belief that the vehicle's electronics were to blame.

James Lentz, US head of Toyota, also appeared before committee. In his testimony he said "we failed to promptly analyse and respond" to information provided.

"The problem has also been compounded by poor communications both within our company and with regulators and consumers."

'Serious flaws'

Rhonda Smith: "The car remains in reverse as it speeds to over 100mph"

Committee chairman Henry Waxman wrote to Mr Lentz on Monday and raised three concerns following a preliminary review of the documents provided by Toyota:

• Toyota "consistently dismissed" the possibility that electronic failures could be responsible for acceleration problems

• The report that Toyota commissioned to look at potential electronic problems appeared to have "serious flaws" and the company was too slow in initiating it

• Toyota's public statements about the adequacy of its recent recalls appeared to be "misleading".

Mr Waxman also wrote to Ray LaHood, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, who was also questioned.

In the letter, he criticised the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for "lacking expertise" and said its response to complaints about sudden unintended acceleration appeared to have been "seriously deficient".

In Mr LaHood's prepared testimony, he said regulators would continue to investigate "all possible causes" of unintended acceleration.

Robust sales

TOYOTA RECALLS: STORY SO FAR Oct 2009 - 3.8 million vehicles are recalled in the US following floor mat problems. More recalls follow in the next few months, over various safety concerns, totalling 8.5 million worldwide by Feb 2010 5 Feb - Toyota president Akio Toyoda apologises for the recalls and pledges to target quality control. However, he is criticised for not bowing deeply enough 9 Feb - Mr Toyoda publicly apologises again and this time is seen to get the bow right 18 Feb - Mr Toyoda announces that he will face questioning in Congress, having previously said that he would not, after being formally asked to do so 23 Feb - the congressional hearings begin, with Toyota's head of US operations, James Lentz, among the first to be grilled. Q&A: Toyota recalls

Toyota said on Tuesday that its global sales were 15% higher in January - when many of the recalls had already been announced - than they were a year ago.

Domestic sales jumped 45%, while overseas sales rose nearly 9%.

On Monday, Toyota said it had received subpoenas asking it to produce documents relating to the safety problems and the company's disclosure policies.

The subpoenas were served earlier this month by a federal grand jury in New York and by the US financial watchdog, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Toyota can expect support from one quarter. More than a hundred dealers from around the US have travelled to Washington.

One firm told the BBC: "Our owner went to Washington to show support for [Mr] Toyoda and hopefully get the word back out there that we are fixing cars, we are selling cars."

Media focus

Mr Toyoda had initially said that he wished to stay in Japan and planned to send Yoshi Inaba, chief of Toyota's North America operations, to face Congress.

But last week he signalled a change of heart and said he would testify, after the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee formally called for him to do so.

Mr Toyoda will face tough questioning from the committee. He has been criticised for being too slow to react to the safety issues and for the company offering unclear explanations.

His performance will be closely watched. It is not yet known whether he will speak in English or Japanese.

He was criticised by the Japanese media earlier this month for not bowing deeply enough at a news conference arranged for him to say sorry for the recalls, leading to questions about the sincerity of his apology.

Gas and electricity firms' profit margins rise

British Gas has recently cut its gas prices

Energy firms are under more pressure to cut domestic prices after a report suggested their profit margins were up.

Energy regulator Ofgem found that the average net margin for supplying the average gas and electricity customer was £105 a year in February.

This was up from £75 a year in November, and prompted calls for firms to follow British Gas by cutting their gas prices.

The industry has produced its own figures claiming lower profits.

Energy UK, which represents the energy companies, said that the latest statistics came after a period of slim profits and occasional losses.

Wholesale costs

The energy suppliers have faced questions about prices when wholesale costs have been in decline.

Ofgem's quarterly market report found that - as a direct result - the net margin for supplying customers has grown.

It has not swelled as much as was forecast, because British Gas recently cut gas prices by an average of 7% - or £55 - on a typical household bill. None other of the major energy suppliers have followed suit.

Ofgem said customers could help themselves to save money by switching suppliers. This could cut the average bill by £100 a year - or more if people switched to an online or non-standard deal.

But it was still unhappy with how certain groups of consumers were being treated.

"Ofgem continues to have concerns about whether the retail energy supply market is yet working enough in the interests of all consumers," the report said.

Price cuts?

Watchdog Consumer Focus said the latest statistics should provide the evidence for more companies to reduce domestic prices.

[Profits] came after three years in which the companies were earning close to nothing from supplying dual fuel customers Christine McGourty, Energy UK

"At a time when householders are worried about their winter energy bills, they will no doubt wonder why margins have increased for the fifth quarter in a row, while wholesale costs continue to fall," said chief executive Mike O'Connor.

"The answer seems to be depressingly simple - energy companies are pushing up their profits by cashing in on the cold spell."

Yet, there has been a strong repost from the industry, which quoted figures from energy consultancy, NERA. These showed that profit margins stood at £31 per customer - not £105 - and this was even before the British Gas price reduction.

NERA said these calculations more closely reflected the costs of supplying energy to consumers, by including a variety of additional costs that Ofgem had not previously included in its calculations - such as the cost of offering certain discounted tariffs.

'Perspective'

This has also come after energy companies took on some of the cost of high wholesale costs of 2008, said Christine McGourty, director of Energy UK, which represents the biggest gas and electricity companies.

"[Profits] came after three years in which the companies were earning close to nothing from supplying dual fuel customers," she said.

"Ofgem said that profits were at a five-year high at the end of 2009, but NERA's analysis puts that into perspective, demonstrating that they only appear high by comparison with the very slim profits and sometimes losses of recent years."

Despite the dispute about exactly how much profit per customer the energy companies are making, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband wants prices to come down.

"We need to see all suppliers passing on the full benefits of lower wholesale prices. Householders facing high winter fuel bills deserve to see the benefits as soon as possible," he said.

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat energy spokesman, said: "Cynical price cuts now will not disguise bumper profits made on the back of grossly unfair fuel bills.

"Energy firms should be forced to show how much profit they make on every pound they charge at the bottom of every fuel bill."

Recent changes in energy bills include limits on doorstep selling and outlawing price discrimination for those using prepayment meters.

Indonesia to Tighten Standard Requirements on Imported Products

Indonesia to Tighten Standard Requirements on Imported Products

KOMPAS.com - Indonesia will tighten the implementation of SNI standard requirements to prevent the inflow of cheap and low quality products following the implementation of the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), a minister said. "We support the implementation of the Indonesian National Standard as an anticipatory measure against goods of below standards coming into the country," manpower and transmigration minister Muhaimin Iskandar said at a press conference at his office here on Tuesday.

He said the government would also take concrete steps to anticipate the negative impact of the implementation of the ACFTA. According to him, the government would conduct revitalization of its industries so that their products could compete with those from abroad particularly from  China.

On worries about lay-offs following the implementation of ACFTA the minister said no indicators had shown that the implementation of ACFTA would lead to lay-offs. He said the implementation of the ACFTA would affect 30 percent of workers in the formal sector while 70 percent of workers in the country were in the informal sector.
   
The lay-offs that happened now were not related with the ACFTA. "According to recent data no lay-off was related to the implementation of ACFTA so far," he said.  The layoffs so far were connected with industrial relations and recruitment and working patterns, he said.
    
The minister urged for increased bipartite communications with regard to seeking a solution for dealing with global competition and  anticipating possible layoffs following the implementation of the ACFTA. In view of that he said the government would assign a special team to monitor and detect layoffs that are not done according to procedures and laws.

Regarding the layoffs at several companies such as JICT, Indosiar, Berita Kota, PT PAL, Mayora, Hotel Papandayan and Grand Aquila the minister suggested that the companies would cancel their decision and employ back those who had been fired. "In view of current high unemployment, limited jobs and humanitarian reasons I appeal to the employers to cancel their decision and resume employing those who  have been dismissed," he said.
    
Minister Muhaimin also called for an immediate meeting between the employers and employees to find a quick solution to prevent the layoffs. "To the workers I appeal to adhere to the manpower law, and company regulations and I also call for increased cooperation between the employers and workers."

The Fund of Century Suspected of being Disbursed to Political Parties

The Fund of Century Suspected of being Disbursed to Political Parties

KOMPAS.com — The fractions in the inquiry committee are giving their final views on the Century Bank bailout disbursement at the House of Rep., Wednesday, Jakarta.

The views and conclusions are critical because there has been a suspicion that the fund was directed to certain political parties or to support campaign activities during the elections.

Inquiry committee member from Golkar, Bambang Soesatyo, stated that his fraction believes that there's been suspicious transactions related with the disbursement. However, he couldn't give the blunt details yet regarding the transactions in question.

"We conclude that the fund disbursement has a lot of suspicious transactions. The method is by cash withdrawal by false identities. This strengthens our suspicion of an MO to take advantage of banks," he said to Kompas.com this morning.

Due to all these suspicious transactions, Golkar's final view is to suggest forming a Century Bank Disbursement Monitoring Team after the inquiry committee. The team, he claimed, should represent all fractions.

"We see that later there will be a case recommendation forwarded to the police. For this reason, the suggestion for a monitoring team will be presented at the plenary. The team will have all fractions to monitor the fund disbursement."

Regarding the rumor that the fund was disbursed for a campaign team during elections, Bambang stated that based on the tracing there hasn't been a direct link found yet. "But, from what we've found is that PT AJP (PT Asuransi Jaya Proteksi) withdrew Rp. 5 billion twice and within the same month is listed as one of the contributors who donated Rp. 5 billion to a certain presidential candidate. Though there is no direct connection."

In today's meeting, the fractions are given a chance to deliver corrections or changes over their initial views regarding Century Bank's merger, short term liquidity support, and bailout. "Golkar won't change its initial view," confirmed Bambang

Carrefour Wins Appeal against Indonesia Antitrust Ruling

Carrefour Wins Appeal against Indonesia Antitrust Ruling

KOMPAS.com - French retailer Carrefour on Wednesday won an appeal against an antitrust ruling that had fined the company 2.7 million dollars and ordered it to sell an Indonesian subsidiary. Indonesia’s Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) in November ordered Carrefour Indonesia to sell its stake in Alfa Retailindo after it ruled it had breached competition rules by capturing more than half of the market.

But South Jakarta District Court judge Kusno ruled there was insufficient evidence that Carrefour had a monopolistic position. “We grant the appeal of Carrefour. Carrefour cannot be proven to have breached the KPPU’s rules on conducting monopolistic practices,” he told the court.

Carrefour lawyer Ignatius Andy said: “We feel blessed by the court’s decision. The judges have been very diligent”. “It was proven that Carrefour doesn’t conduct monopolistic practices, Carrefour doesn’t do abusive actions from a dominant position, and Carrefour doesn’t press the suppliers,” he added.

KPPU official Mohammad Reza said that the anti-trust body was “most likely” to appeal to the Supreme Court. “We believe that Carrefour controls about 58 percent of the modern retail market, which enables them to conduct monopolistic practices by pressing their suppliers,” Reza said.

Carrefour, the world’s second biggest retailer, bought Alfa in 2008 for 674 billion rupiah (72.7 million dollars). It has 45 stores across Indonesia while Alfa has 30.

Cash Bribes Now Preferred

Cash Bribes Now Preferred

KOMPAS.com — The president for the Indonesian Association of Forwarders, Logistics and Expedition Service Providers, Iskandar Zulkarnain, admits that corruption in the service sector lately has been changing. He observed that now the corruption and bribery are more organized.

"Overall, the corruption in the service industry is changing its methods. It used to be chaotic, but now its organized," claimed Iskandar, who is also a member of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday, at Graha Niaga Building, Jakarta.

He stated that corruption is more structured now. For example, bribing is now longer through bank transfers, but by hard cash.

"This is fact. Because transfers might be detected by the Financial Transaction Analysis and Report Center. Now, the money is put in a carton box or they do the transaction in an elevator."

Even so, he admits that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is giving off the right deterrent effect on corruptors. Business people are also more careful in their conducts. For the last few years, the KPK has been doing its job quite well and arresting many corruptors.

"Since the KPK is here, people are more careful. They (businessmen) are deterred. Especially since since the arrest of Iqbal (Commission for the Supervision of Business Competition chief M. Iqbal) and Ayin (Arthalita Suryani), everyone is more wary. Ayin was caught, and around the same time Iqbal too." 

Pertamina Supports Garuda Planes Serving Int'l Routes

Pertamina Supports Garuda Planes Serving Int'l Routes

KOMPAS.com - State oil and gas company Pertamina said  it is ready to meet the aviation turbine (avtur) fuel needs of Garuda Indonesia planes flying to five foreign destinations.  Pertamina Marketing and Commercial Director A Faisal made the statement after signing a cooperation agreement with Garuda Operations Director Ari Sapari for the supply of avtur fuel here on Wednesday.
    
The agreement would ensure the supply of avtur to Garuda at more competitive prices, Faisal said. "The cooperation is part of Pertamina’s strategic steps to expand its business in the supply of avtur in the five countries," he said. 
 
The five foreign destinations are Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Dubai. Ari Sapari meanwhile said the cooperation was part of Garuda’s commitment to develop its synergy with other state firms.

"In line with Garuda’s plan to increase its fleet to 116 planes until 2014 we have received assurance of avtur supplies," he said. The contract would last until 2011, he said.

"But it is likely the cooperation will be extended," he said. Faisal said Pertamina would cooperate with oil companies in the five countries in refueling Garuda planes.

Garuda is flying to 24 foreign cities, including those in Southeast Asia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and the Middle East.

Chip Debit Card to be on Trial

Chip Debit Card to be on Trial

KOMPAS.com — Three national banks, BCA, Permata Bank, and Mandiri Bank, are doing test runs in the first half of 2010 to see if the old magnetic cards can be replaced with the chip technology. 

Chief of the accounting and payment system bureau of Bank Indonesia, Aribowo, confirms this test runs, Wednesday, Jakarta. "The three banks volunteered to do the test run phase."

In the second semester, the three banks will do implementation. The debit card with chip technology is expected to cut down the potential for fraud.

Another advantage is that the technology allows interconnection and interoperability, which means that the owner of a chip debit card can transact in all ATMs in Indonesia.

Aribowo stated that for the test run phase three banks are enough. This will help Bank Indonesia in monitoring. "Cocurrently, we will also call all debit card issuers to present the test run results. This might happen around the second week of March."

The conversion cost from magnetic cards to chip cards is estimated to be around Rp. 2 trillion. This cost covers the transition of the 40 million magnetic cards already issued so far, and also to upgrade 30,000 ATMs, and for the 80,000 electronic data capture.

Prior to this, the Bank Indonesia regulation No. 11/11/PBI/2009, regarding payment means by cards, has declared the obligation to use chip technology for any payment by card starting January 1, 2010.

China Gome tycoon Huang Guangyu charged with bribery

By Chris Hogg BBC News, Shanghai

Mr Huang's vast personal wealth has put him in the authorities' spotlight

One of the richest private entrepreneurs in China is to stand trial accused of bribery, insider trading and illegal business dealings.

The confirmation of the indictment laid against Huang Guangyu on Friday has come from state media.

Mr Huang founded Gome, China's largest chain of electronics stores.

He was arrested on suspicion of share manipulation in November 2008, a month after he had been labelled China's richest man.

He was placed under investigation and two months later, resigned as the director and chairman of the chain of 1,200 electronics stores he had built up from nothing.

He has been held in detention ever since.

Suspicion

The charges now laid against him are more wide ranging than those detailed at the start of the investigation.

The indictment said accomplices will join him on trial in Beijing, without naming them.

Two senior police officials have been accused of bribery in connection with the case.

The trial will be watched closely by the business community in Beijing. It will be the highest profile case yet involving a private entrepreneur in China.

Opinion polls in the state controlled media suggest many Chinese are suspicious of those who have made a great deal of money during China's economic reforms, believing them to be corrupt.

Mr Huang's wealth was estimated to be between $2.7bn (£1.72bn) and $6.3bn (£4bn) at the time of his arrest.

He was listed as China's wealthiest man by the Hurun report, a publication that tracks the wealth of China's business elite.

Inflation accelerates to 3.5% in the UK

The end of the temporary cut in VAT has contributed to inflation

The UK inflation rate rose to 3.5% in January - the fastest annual pace for 14 months - from 2.9% the month before, official figures have shown.

Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation was driven up by VAT returning to 17.5% and higher petrol prices.

Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation which includes housing costs, rose to 3.7% in January, up from 2.4%.

Bank of England governor Mervyn King has had to write a letter of explanation to the chancellor.

INFLATION UPS AND DOWNS Price up Second hand cars Carrots DVDs Price down Long-haul flights Ferry fares Women's coats

A letter from the bank's governor is required if inflation is more than one percentage point above or below the government's 2% target.

In it, the governor said the inflation rise was "temporary".

Mr Darling responded, saying the inflation outlook was "subject to some uncertainty" as the world emerges from the "deepest downturn in modern times".

Food factor

The CPI inflation rate is the measure targeted by the Bank of England's interest-rate setters, while the RPI rate is often used as a benchmark in wage negotiations.

The MPC's latest projections suggest that although it is likely to remain high over the next few months, inflation is more likely than not to fall back to the target [of 2%] in the second half of this year. Mervyn King's letter to Chancellor Alistair Darling Read Mervyn King's letter Read the chancellor's reply No surprises for chancellor in letter

And January's VAT rise was the biggest factor raising the CPI to 3.5%, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The government had reduced VAT to 15% for the previous 13 months, to try to boost consumer spending.

Higher fuel and transport costs also pushed the CPI up, and last month's cold weather increased some vegetable prices, with the cost of cauliflowers rising by the highest amount since 1996.

The Bank of England had warned inflation could rise to 3.5% this year but predicts it will fall back below the 2% target later in 2010.

This is because the economy remains relatively weak as it continues to recover from the recession that ended in the last quarter of 2009.

Price fears overdone?

Most economists expect the Bank to hold off from raising interest rates to try to bring inflation back down sooner.

This short-term bump in inflation is going to be hit many workers harder than usual, because earnings growth is already weak to non-existent Stephanie Flanders, economics editor Read Stephanie's blog

UK interest rates have been at the record low level of 0.5% for 11 consecutive months, as the Bank seeks to aid the economic recovery.

However, earlier this month the Bank decided against further quantitative easing (QE), the policy designed to stimulate growth in the UK economy.

Under QE, the Bank has pumped £200bn of new money into the economy by buying assets such as government bonds, as a way to boost lending by commercial banks.

A number of analysts said concerns about the current high rate of inflation was likely a factor in the Bank choosing not to extend QE.

However, former monetary policy committee member Professor David Blanchflower told the BBC that a spell of higher inflation would benefit the UK economy, suggesting that 4% would be a "pretty good starting point".

"You would actually end up inflating some of the debt away, but also if we get into a position where house prices were to fall further we are going to have a large number of people in negative equity, and if you have a few years of inflation that actually will deal with that problem."

Higher inflation would help to keep interest rates low, he added.

However, the combination of higher prices and lower rates is seen as punishing those who have put money aside, as the value of their savings is eroded while the returns they make on them declines.

Coca-Cola sales boosted by new markets

Coca Cola is targeting developing markets for growth

Coca-Cola saw sales and profits rise last year following a strong performance in developing markets.

The world's largest soft drinks company reported profits of $6.82bn (£4.36bn) for 2009 - a rise of 17% on the previous year.

It also saw a strong end to the year with fourth-quarter profits up 55%, and global sales up 5%.

Sales grew sharply in developing markets including China, India and Brazil.

That made up for a slight fall in sales in North America, although the company's Coke Zero brand bucked the trend, increasing its sales by more than 10%.

Global sales of the Coca-Cola drink itself rose 4% in the fourth quarter.

"We ended this year on a high note," commented Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of the Coca-Cola Company.

He added that the company's leading brands allowed it grow even under "challenging economic conditions".

The company behind the Sprite, Fanta and Minute Maid brands has turned its attention to newer markets in recent years as US consumers cut back on their consumption of soft drinks.

The effects of the recession, as well as a move toward healthier alternatives, have been blamed.

Cadbury's Bristol plant to close by 2011

The Somerdale plant in Keynsham is set to close by 2011

Cadbury's new owner, Kraft, says it plans to close the company's Somerdale factory in Keynsham, near Bristol.

Just last week it said it would keep it open. The shutdown would mean the loss of 400 jobs.

Cadbury had earmarked the plant for closure but Kraft's takeover had raised hopes of a reprieve.

The move comes just weeks after Cadbury's chairman told the BBC that job losses were an "inevitability" after the takeover by the US giant.

In a statement, Kraft said it would stick to the plans put in place by Cadbury in 2007 to close the plant and transfer the work to Poland.

'Unrealistic'

Kraft Foods said that after what it called "extensive talks" with senior management at Cadbury, it found that Cadbury's plans to close Somerdale were so far advanced that it would be "unrealistic" to reverse them.

It was obviously a big fat lie. Apparently the plans to move to Poland were too far gone to reverse them, so we're still for the chop Somerdale plant worker More from West Country Cash blog

It added that it had become clear that the investment required to reverse the closure programme "would be so significant that alternative plans were not viable".

The company pointed out that Cadbury had already invested more than £100m in building new production facilities in Poland and the majority of the lines have, or are about to be, transferred by the middle of this year.

Irene Rosenfeld, chairman and chief executive of Kraft Foods, said: "It became clear that it is unrealistic to reverse the closure programme, despite our original intent to do so. While this is a difficult decision, we have moved quickly to end any further uncertainty."

She said the planned £30m investment plans for the Bournville site remained in place.

The company has said that it will honour Cadbury's previous undertakings to Somerdale employees concerning the terms and conditions of the closure and a commitment to rebuild the Fry Club on the Somerdale site.

Staff at the Somerdale factory in Keynsham were told the news at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

Kraft gave me no indication of this announcement when we met last week Business Secretary Lord Mandelson

One worker told the BBC a statement by Kraft that the factory might stay open had been "a big fat lie".

He said: "Apparently the plans to move to Poland were too far gone to save the factory so unfortunately, we're still up for the chop."

Keynsham resident Amoree Radford, of the Save Cadbury's Campaign said the company [Kraft] was "absolutely despicable".

She said: "We were taken in by Kraft. I really thought they were sincere."

'Deliberately misled'

The union Unite reacted angrily to the decision and said it sent the "worst possible message" to 6,000 other Cadbury workers in the UK and Ireland.

Jennie Formby, Unite national officer for the food and drinks sector, said the US firm had "deliberately misled many hundreds of decent men and women".

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who met Ms Rosenfeld after the takeover was sealed, said: "This will confirm the fears of those who felt the takeover would result in job losses. Kraft gave me no indication of this announcement when we met last week."

He added: "It is for the company now to prove the worth of their other statements about investing in the UK."

The Somerdale plant is in Keynsham, near Bristol and Bath, and was originally built by the Fry family. It merged with Cadbury Brothers in 1919.

Products made at Somerdale include Fry's Chocolate Cream, the Double Decker, Dairy Milk, Chocolate Buttons, Creme Eggs and Mini Eggs, Cadbury's Fudge, Chomp and the Crunchie.

Who Earns More Than The President?

10 Jobs with better hourly pay

By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer

President Barack Obama gets a nice little salary. Certainly some CEOs, entrepreneurs and movie stars are earning millions (and in some cases billions) of dollars, so he's by no means the richest person on the planet with his $400,000 annual salary. And he gets some pretty sweet perks -- a fancy plane, an amazing chef and one of the most famous addresses in the world.

But if you stop to think about all his job entails, he's never really off the clock. Although he takes vacations, he can't completely clock out as long as he is in office. Regardless of where he is, the Secret Service is monitoring his every move and he must respond to any crisis that arises. The only other job that requires you to be on call 24 hours a day without fail is that of a parent, and no one's paying you to do that, unfortunately.

We took Obama's salary (not including his perks) and divided it by the 8,765 hours in a year, to figure that he earns $45.63 per hour. Again, not too shabby, but considering what a president has to put up with -- constant danger, huge responsibilities, graying hair, people throwing shoes -- it's a tough gig.

Here are 10 jobs that, while important and demanding, probably don't have the same pressure as that of Obama's, and they pay more than he gets:

1. Computer and information systems managers are involved in technology administration for a company or organization. They work with leaders to ensure the company is meeting all goals and standards they have set for technology.
Hourly pay: $49.90

2. Dentists perform routine maintenance on your teeth and gums, ranging from preventive treatment to certain types of procedures. In other words, they allow you to smile with confidence.
Hourly pay: $66.54

3. General internists care for and treat adult patients for diseases or ailments relating to internal organs, such as heart or gastrointestinal issues.
Hourly pay: $55.61

4. Judges and magistrates preside over various legal and civil proceedings in order to assign awards or punishment based on the law.
Hourly pay: $59.95

5. Lawyers perform a wide range of legal duties, ranging from acting as counsel in a trial or working on behalf of organizations and corporations to ensure they are abiding by the law.
Hourly pay: $54.35

6. Marketing managers coordinate the promotion and marketing of a product or service for a company. They are involved in all marketing aspects for the company, from the initial brainstorming to the execution of the plan.
Hourly pay: $51.26

7. Post-secondary business teachers teach business courses in college and universities. Their students are typically working toward an MBA, although they might be studying any number of fields.
Hourly pay: $60.92

8. Post-secondary physics teachers teach post-secondary physics courses at universities and institutions and often perform research, as well.
Hourly pay: $57.76

9. Psychiatrists work with patients to diagnose and treat mental and behavioral disorders or conditions.
Hourly pay: $71.93

10. Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents sell stocks or bonds to investors in exchange for a commission. They are in constant contact with customers to see what stocks or bonds might interest them and find out how they want to proceed.
Hourly pay: $53.54

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

Shop sales suffer 'worst January for 15 years'

With the weather and economy both grim many shoppers stayed away

The High Street has suffered an "awful" start to the year with the slowest January sales growth for 15 years.

The value of goods sold grew 1.2% in January compared with the previous year as bad weather kept shoppers away.

On a like-for-like basis - excluding store expansions and closures - sales fell by 0.7%, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Food sales held up well in the first half of the month, however, thanks to stocking up during the icy weather.

Online sales continued to rise fast - these were 14.6% higher in January compared with a year ago.

Cold-weather clothing also saw a boost later in the month, although sales were down compared with a very good December.

'Awful start'

Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC, said the figures revealed the worst growth in January retail sales for 15 years.

"It's an awful start to the year and in stark contrast to an upbeat December," he said.

"The VAT change brought some sales forward to December, but customers are becoming cautious again in the face of economic and political uncertainty.

"Retailers will be hoping these results are mainly a snow induced blip, rather than an indication of further difficulties."

Analysts had expected a stronger rise in sales as a result of higher prices compared with January last year.

At the end of December, the official rate of inflation jumped to 2.9%, reflecting higher prices and the recovery in the economy.

Oil fuels UK producer prices rise

The higher cost of oil lifted consumer price inflation last month

The prices of goods leaving UK factories rose at their fastest rate for 13 months in January, fuelled by a jump in the cost of oil, figures show.

Producer price inflation increased to an annual rate of 3.8% last month, said the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.

This was the biggest annual increase since December 2008, and a monthly rise of 0.4% from December of last year.

The price of oil last month was 70.6% higher than a year earlier.

This is because global crude prices touched lows near $40 a barrel in January 2009 as the global recession was at its peak.

The cost of oil has since steadily recovered to about $72 a barrel this week.

'Inflation headwinds'

The OFT said the rise in producer prices - which was slightly more than expected - was further lifted by an increase in the cost of scrap metal, alcohol and tobacco.

The outlook for goods price inflation at the consumer level may prove a little bit challenging Philip Shaw, Investec economist

Core producer prices, which exclude food and energy costs, rose 2.5% on an annual basis in January.

Analysts said the latest figures raised concerns that the increase in producer prices could spread to consumer price inflation.

"It looks as though some of those inflation headwinds are greater than the Bank of England imagined," said Peter Dixon, an economist at Commerzbank.

The most recent figures from the Bank showed that UK consumer prices rose by 2.9% in December, their fastest annual pace for nine months and above the 2% target.

Bank Governor Mervyn King has warned that consumer inflation was "likely to rise over 3% for a while", but that it "should return to to target in the medium term".

Earlier this week the Bank kept interest rates on hold at 0.5%, where they have now remained for 11 consecutive months.

"Factory gate inflation is well above its long-term average, which means that the outlook for goods price inflation at the consumer level may prove a little bit challenging," said Philip Shaw, an economist at Investec.

US unemployment shows a surprise decline

Te Ramos is a 60-year-old former construction worker who is now dependent on free food pantries and a soup kitchen.

The US unemployment rate unexpectedly fell in January, to its lowest level in five months, official figures from the Labor Department have shown.

Last month's rate was 9.7%, down from 10% in December.

Yet at the same time, US employers cut 20,000 jobs in January, which was also unexpected. Most analysts had predicted the economy to add jobs.

President Barack Obama has declared that job creation would be his top priority for 2010.

Last month's job losses were the lowest since the US recession started, with the exception of November 2009 when a surprise rise in employment was seen.

"While unemployment remains a severe problem, today's employment report contains encouraging signs of gradual labour market healing," said White House economic adviser Christina Romer.

Contradicting data

The 20,000 job losses in January also compares with 779,000 losses for the same month last year.

Analysts had expected the jobless rate to rise to 10.1% last month, and 5,000 net new jobs to be created.

Although overall, employers cut more jobs than they created, there were some sectors that performed well.

Manufacturing added 11,000 new jobs in January, its best performance since April 2009.

Meanwhile, retailers created 42,100 new jobs, the most since November 2007.

The apparent contradiction between the unemployment rate falling, and US employers cutting jobs in January can be explained by the fact the data comes from two different surveys.

The unemployment rate data looks at households, while the job creation figures come from companies.

List of countries by GDP (PPP)

List of countries by GDP (PPP) International Monetary Fund (2009)[1]	World Bank (2008)[2]	CIA World Factbook[3]
Rank Country Intl. $ 1 Qatar 87,717 2 Luxembourg 78,723 3 Norway 53,269 4 Brunei 50,103 5 Singapore 49,433 6 United States 46,443 7 Switzerland 42,948 — Hong Kong 42,574 8 Ireland 39,441 9 Netherlands 39,278 10 Austria 38,896 11 Kuwait 38,876 12 Canada 38,290 13 United Arab Emirates 38,284 14 Australia 37,302 15 Iceland 37,243 16 Denmark 36,725 17 Sweden 35,934 18 Belgium 35,683 19 Bahrain 35,561 20 United Kingdom 35,165 21 Finland 34,462 22 Germany 34,219 23 France 33,744 24 Japan 32,817 25 Greece 30,856 26 Cyprus 29,898 27 China, Republic of (Taiwan) 29,829 28 Spain 29,527 29 Italy 29,290 30 Slovenia 28,524 31 Israel 28,271 32 Korea, South 27,791 33 Bahamas, The 26,877 34 New Zealand 26,625 35 Oman 25,829 36 Czech Republic 24,400 37 Malta 23,622 38 Saudi Arabia 23,388 39 Portugal 21,848 40 Slovakia 21,374 41 Trinidad and Tobago 20,437 42 Seychelles 19,274 43 Barbados 18,639 44 Hungary 18,548 45 Antigua and Barbuda 18,161 46 Estonia 18,051 47 Poland 17,989 48 Croatia 17,876 49 Equatorial Guinea[4] 16,853 50 Lithuania 15,803 51 Russia 15,039 52 Gabon 14,421 53 Libya 14,381 54 Latvia 14,304 55 Chile 14,299 56 Argentina 14,126 57 Lebanon 13,952 58 Malaysia 13,551 59 Mexico 13,542 60 Saint Kitts and Nevis 13,491 61 Botswana 13,417 62 Uruguay 13,019 63 Venezuela 12,496 64 Belarus 12,486 65 Mauritius 12,356 66 Turkey 12,339 67 Bulgaria 11,760 68 Romania 11,755 69 Panama 11,542 70 Kazakhstan 11,369 71 Iran 11,202 72 Grenada 11,179 73 Montenegro 10,833 74 Costa Rica 10,572 75 Saint Lucia 10,547 76 Serbia 10,540 77 Brazil 10,456 78 Dominica 10,404 — World[5] 10,348 79 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10,198 80 South Africa 9,961 81 Azerbaijan 9,352 82 Macedonia, Republic of 9,047 83 Jamaica 8,737 84 Peru 8,723 85 Dominican Republic 8,672 86 Suriname 8,317 87 Tunisia 8,285 88 Colombia 8,206 89 Thailand 7,998 90 Belize 7,914 91 Ecuador 7,720 92 Bosnia and Herzegovina 7,490 93 El Salvador 7,439 94 Albania 7,019 95 Algeria 6,855 96 Namibia 6,610 97 China, People's Republic of 6,546 98 Ukraine 6,461 99 Kiribati 6,311 100 Angola 6,179 101 Egypt 6,147 102 Turkmenistan 5,983 103 Swaziland 5,839 104 Bhutan 5,793 105 Jordan 5,662 106 Tonga 5,596 107 Samoa 5,446 108 Armenia 4,916 109 Guatemala 4,882 110 Syria 4,858 111 Maldives 4,842 112 Sri Lanka 4,763 113 Georgia 4,747 114 Morocco 4,587 115 Paraguay 4,551 116 Bolivia 4,448 117 Vanuatu 4,334 118 Honduras 4,168 119 Guyana 4,161 120 Congo, Republic of the 4,156 121 Indonesia 4,149 122 Fiji 4,121 123 Iraq 3,588 124 Cape Verde 3,580 125 Mongolia 3,567 126 Philippines 3,536 127 Vietnam 2,933 128 India 2,932 129 Solomon Islands 2,894 130 Uzbekistan 2,806 131 Moldova 2,766 132 Pakistan 2,671 133 Nicaragua 2,654 134 Timor-Leste 2,526 135 Djibouti 2,496 136 Yemen 2,475 137 Sudan 2,376 138 Kyrgyzstan 2,227 139 Laos 2,217 140 Nigeria 2,199 141 Papua New Guinea 2,175 142 Cameroon 2,147 143 Mauritania 2,086 144 Tajikistan 2,083 145 Cambodia 2,018 146 São Tomé and Príncipe 1,821 147 Senegal 1,752 148 Kenya 1,751 149 Côte d'Ivoire 1,680 150 Chad 1,674 151 Benin 1,643 152 Ghana 1,572 153 Zambia 1,544 154 Bangladesh 1,470 155 Gambia, The 1,430 156 Tanzania 1,414 157 Haiti 1,340 158 Burkina Faso 1,303 159 Lesotho 1,288 160 Uganda 1,203 161 Burma 1,200 162 Nepal 1,197 163 Mali 1,167 164 Comoros 1,163 165 Rwanda 1,092 166 Guinea 998 167 Madagascar 981 168 Ethiopia 955 169 Mozambique 938 170 Malawi 881 171 Afghanistan 870 172 Togo 823 173 Central African Republic 754 174 Sierra Leone 747 175 Eritrea 739 176 Niger 736 177 Guinea-Bissau 489 178 Burundi 401 179 Liberia 379 180 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 334 181 Zimbabwe 9	Rank Country Intl. $ 1 Luxembourg 78,559 — Macau 59,451 2 Norway 58,141 3 Singapore 49,288 4 United States 46,716 5 Ireland 44,195 — Hong Kong 43,922 6 Switzerland 42,534 7 Netherlands 40,850 8 Austria 38,153 9 Sweden 37,383 10 Iceland 36,770 11 Denmark 36,604 12 Canada 36,444 13 Australia 35,677 14 Germany 35,613 15 United Kingdom 35,445 16 Finland 35,426 17 Belgium 34,493 18 Japan 34,099 19 France 34,045 20 Equatorial Guinea 33,883 21 Spain 31,955 22 Italy 30,756 23 Greece 29,361 24 South Korea 27,939 25 Slovenia 27,610 26 Israel 27,548 27 New Zealand 27,027 28 Trinidad and Tobago 24,742 29 Czech Republic 24,712 30 Saudi Arabia 23,920 31 Portugal 23,073 32 Slovakia 22,081 33 Seychelles 21,616 34 Antigua and Barbuda 21,209 35 Estonia 20,657 36 Hungary 19,329 37 Croatia 19,085 38 Lithuania 18,826 39 Poland 17,625 40 Latvia 17,101 41 Saint Kitts and Nevis 16,224 42 Russia 16,139 43 Libya 15,401 44 Gabon 14,758 45 Mexico 14,495 46 Chile 14,465 47 Argentina 14,333 48 Malaysia 14,215 49 Romania 14,064 50 Montenegro 13,958 51 Turkey 13,920 52 Botswana 13,392 53 Venezuela 12,804 54 Uruguay 12,734 55 Panama 12,503 56 Bulgaria 12,394 57 Belarus 12,261 58 Mauritius 12,078 59 Iran 11,666 60 Lebanon 11,571 61 Serbia 11,457 62 Kazakhstan 11,314 63 Costa Rica 11,240 — World 10,415 64 Brazil 10,296 65 Macedonia 10,167 66 South Africa 10,109 67 Saint Lucia 9,906 68 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9,165 69 Colombia 8,885 70 Azerbaijan 8,765 71 Dominica 8,712 72 Peru 8,507 73 Grenada 8,500 74 Bosnia and Herzegovina 8,390 75 Dominican Republic 8,217 76 Algeria 8,033 77 Ecuador 8,008 78 Tunisia 7,996 79 Jamaica 7,879 80 Albania 7,716 81 Thailand 7,703 82 Suriname 7,507 83 Ukraine 7,271 84 Belize 6,929 85 El Salvador 6,794 86 Turkmenistan 6,641 87 Armenia 6,515 88 Namibia 6,343 89 China, People's Republic of 5,962 90 Angola 5,898 91 Maldives 5,513 92 Egypt 5,416 93 Jordan 5,283 94 Swaziland 4,927 95 Guatemala 4,760 96 Bhutan 4,754 97 Paraguay 4,709 98 Sri Lanka 4,560 99 Samoa 4,473 100 Syria 4,440 101 Morocco 4,388 102 Fiji 4,381 103 Georgia 4,280 104 Bolivia 4,278 105 Vanuatu 3,983 106 Indonesia 3,975 107 Honduras 3,964 108 Republic of the Congo 3,946 109 Tonga 3,808 110 Mongolia 3,567 111 Philippines 3,510 112 Cape Verde 3,501 113 India 2,972 114 Moldova 2,925 115 Micronesia 2,838 116 Vietnam 2,785 117 Nicaragua 2,682 118 Uzbekistan 2,656 119 Pakistan 2,644 120 Solomon Islands 2,609 121 Guyana 2,543 122 Kiribati 2,474 123 Yemen 2,400 124 Cameroon 2,215 125 Papua New Guinea 2,208 126 Kyrgyzstan 2,188 127 Sudan 2,153 128 Djibouti 2,139 129 Laos 2,134 130 Nigeria 2,082 131 Tajikistan 1,906 132 Cambodia 1,905 133 Senegal 1,772 134 São Tomé and Príncipe 1,739 135 Côte d'Ivoire 1,651 136 Kenya 1,590 137 Lesotho 1,588 138 Benin 1,468 139 Chad 1,455 140 Ghana 1,452 141 The Gambia 1,363 142 Zambia 1,356 143 Bangladesh 1,334 144 Tanzania 1,263 145 Guinea 1,204 146 Haiti 1,177 147 Comoros 1,168 148 Uganda 1,165 149 Burkina Faso 1,161 150 Mali 1,128 151 Nepal 1,112 152 Madagascar 1,080 153 Rwanda 1,022 154 Mozambique 897 155 Ethiopia 868 156 Malawi 837 157 Togo 829 158 Timor-Leste 801 159 Sierra Leone 766 160 Central African Republic 736 161 Niger 684 162 Eritrea 632 163 Guinea-Bissau 538 164 Liberia 388 165 Burundi 383 166 Democratic Republic of the Congo 328	Rank Country Intl. $ Year 1 Liechtenstein 122,100 2007 est. 2 Qatar 121,400 2009 est. 3 Luxembourg 77,600 2009 est. — Bermuda 69,900 2004 est. 4 Norway 59,300 2009 est. — Jersey 57,000 2005 est. 5 Kuwait 55,800 2009 est. 6 Singapore 50,300 2009 est. 7 Brunei 50,100 2009 est. 8 United States 46,400 2009 est. — Guernsey 44,600 2005 est. — Cayman Islands 43,800 2004 est. — Hong Kong 42,700 2009 est. 9 Andorra 42,500 2007 est. 10 Ireland 42,200 2009 est. 11 San Marino 41,900 2007 est. 12 United Arab Emirates 41,800 2009 est. 13 Switzerland 41,600 2009 est. 14 Iceland 39,800 2009 est. 15 Austria 39,400 2009 est. 16 Netherlands 39,000 2009 est. — Virgin Islands, British 38,500 2004 est. 17 Australia 38,500 2009 est. 18 Bahrain 38,400 2009 est. 19 Canada 38,400 2009 est. — Gibraltar 38,200 2005 est. 20 Sweden 36,800 2009 est. 21 Belgium 36,600 2009 est. 22 Denmark 36,200 2009 est. 23 Equatorial Guinea 36,100 2009 est. — Falkland Islands 35,400 2002 est. 24 United Kingdom 35,400 2009 est. — Isle of Man 35,000 2005 est. 25 Finland 34,900 2009 est. — Greenland 34,700 2007 est. 26 Germany 34,200 2009 est. 27 Spain 33,700 2009 est. 28 France 32,800 2009 est. — European Union 32,700 2009 est. 29 Japan 32,600 2009 est. 30 Greece 32,100 2009 est. — Faroe Islands 31,000 2001 est. 31 China, Republic of (Taiwan) 30,200 2009 est. 32 Italy 30,200 2009 est. — Macau 30,000 2007 est. 33 Monaco 30,000 2006 est. 34 Bahamas, The 29,800 2009 est. 35 Israel 28,400 2009 est. 36 Slovenia 28,200 2009 est. 37 Korea, South 27,700 2009 est. 38 New Zealand 27,700 2009 est. 39 Czech Republic 25,100 2009 est. 40 Malta 23,800 2009 est. 41 Trinidad and Tobago 23,300 2009 est. — Aruba 21,800 2004 est. 42 Portugal 21,700 2009 est. 43 Cyprus 21,200 2009 est. 44 Slovakia 21,100 2009 est. 45 Oman 20,300 2009 est. 46 Saudi Arabia 20,300 2009 est. 47 Seychelles 19,400 2009 est. 48 Estonia 18,800 2009 est. 49 Hungary 18,800 2009 est. 50 Saint Kitts and Nevis 18,800 2009 est. 51 Barbados 18,500 2009 est. 52 Antigua and Barbuda 18,100 2009 est. 53 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18,100 2009 est. — French Polynesia 18,000 2004 est. 54 Poland 17,800 2009 est. 55 Croatia 17,600 2009 est. — Puerto Rico 17,100 2009 est. — Netherlands Antilles 16,000 2004 est. 56 Russia 15,200 2009 est. — Guam 15,000 2005 est. — New Caledonia 15,000 2003 est. 57 Lithuania 15,000 2009 est. 58 Chile 14,700 2009 est. 59 Malaysia 14,700 2009 est. 60 Libya 14,600 2009 est. — Virgin Islands, U.S. 14,500 2004 est. 61 Latvia 14,500 2009 est. 62 Argentina 13,800 2009 est. 63 Gabon 13,700 2009 est. 64 Mexico 13,200 2009 est. 65 Venezuela 13,200 2009 est. 66 Iran 12,900 2009 est. 67 Grenada 12,700 2009 est. 68 Bulgaria 12,600 2009 est. 69 Uruguay 12,600 2009 est. — Northern Mariana Islands 12,500 2000 est. 70 Mauritius 12,400 2009 est. 71 Botswana 12,100 2009 est. 72 Panama 11,900 2009 est. 73 Belarus 11,600 2009 est. — Turks and Caicos Islands 11,500 2002 est. 74 Lebanon 11,500 2009 est. 75 Romania 11,500 2009 est. 76 Kazakhstan 11,400 2009 est. 77 Costa Rica 11,300 2009 est. 78 Turkey 11,200 2009 est. 79 Saint Lucia 10,900 2009 est. — World 10,500 2009 est. 80 Serbia 10,400 2009 est. 81 Brazil 10,200 2009 est. 82 Dominica 10,200 2009 est. 83 South Africa 10,000 2009 est. 84 Azerbaijan 9,900 2009 est. 85 Montenegro 9,800 2009 est. 86 Cuba 9,700 2009 est. 87 Colombia 9,200 2009 est. — Cook Islands 9,100 2005 est. 88 Macedonia, Republic of 9,000 2009 est. — Anguilla 8,800 2004 est. 89 Angola 8,800 2009 est. 90 Suriname 8,800 2009 est. 91 Peru 8,600 2009 est. 92 Jamaica 8,300 2009 est. 93 Belize 8,200 2009 est. 94 Dominican Republic 8,200 2009 est. 95 Palau 8,100 2008 est. 96 Thailand 8,100 2009 est. — American Samoa 8,000 2007 est. 97 Tunisia 8,000 2009 est. 98 Ecuador 7,300 2009 est. 99 Algeria 7,100 2009 est. — Saint Pierre and Miquelon 7,000 2001 est. 100 Turkmenistan 6,700 2009 est. 101 China, People's Republic of 6,500 2009 est. 102 Namibia 6,400 2009 est. 103 Ukraine 6,400 2009 est. 104 Bosnia and Herzegovina 6,300 2009 est. 105 Albania 6,200 2009 est. 106 Bhutan 6,200 2009 est. 107 Egypt 6,000 2009 est. 108 El Salvador 6,000 2009 est. 109 Armenia 5,900 2009 est. — Niue 5,800 2003 est. 110 Jordan 5,300 2009 est. 111 Kiribati 5,300 2009 est. 112 Guatemala 5,200 2009 est. 113 Nauru 5,000 2005 est. — Mayotte 4,900 2005 est. 114 Vanuatu 4,800 2009 est. 115 Samoa 4,700 2009 est. 116 Syria 4,700 2009 est. 117 Bolivia 4,600 2009 est. 118 Morocco 4,600 2009 est. 119 Tonga 4,600 2009 est. 120 Georgia 4,500 2009 est. 121 Sri Lanka 4,500 2009 est. 122 Swaziland 4,400 2009 est. 123 Congo, Republic of the 4,200 2009 est. 124 Honduras 4,200 2009 est. 125 Maldives 4,200 2009 est. 126 Paraguay 4,100 2009 est. 127 Indonesia 4,000 2009 est. 128 Cape Verde 3,900 2009 est. 129 Guyana 3,900 2009 est. — Wallis and Futuna 3,800 2004 est. 130 Fiji 3,800 2009 est. — Montserrat 3,400 2002 est. 131 Mongolia 3,400 2009 est. 132 Iraq 3,300 2009 est. 133 Philippines 3,300 2009 est. — Gaza Strip 3,100 2009 est. 134 India 3,100 2009 est. — West Bank 2,900 2008 est. 135 Vietnam 2,900 2009 est. 136 Djibouti 2,800 2009 est. 137 Nicaragua 2,800 2009 est. 138 Uzbekistan 2,800 2009 est. 139 Pakistan 2,600 2009 est. 140 Solomon Islands 2,600 2009 est. — Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 2,500 1998 est. — Western Sahara 2,500 2007 est. 141 Marshall Islands 2,500 2008 est. 142 Yemen 2,500 2009 est. 143 Moldova 2,400 2009 est. 144 Nigeria 2,400 2009 est. 145 Timor-Leste 2,400 2009 est. 146 Cameroon 2,300 2009 est. 147 Papua New Guinea 2,300 2009 est. 148 Sudan 2,300 2009 est. 149 Micronesia 2,200 2008 est. 150 Kyrgyzstan 2,100 2009 est. 151 Laos 2,100 2009 est. 152 Mauritania 2,100 2009 est. 153 Cambodia 1,900 2009 est. 154 Korea, North 1,800 2008 est. 155 Tajikistan 1,800 2009 est. 156 Côte d'Ivoire 1,700 2009 est. 157 Senegal 1,700 2009 est. 158 Bangladesh 1,600 2009 est. 159 Kenya 1,600 2009 est. 160 Tuvalu 1,600 2002 est. 161 Benin 1,500 2009 est. 162 Chad 1,500 2009 est. 163 Ghana 1,500 2009 est. 164 Lesotho 1,500 2009 est. 165 Zambia 1,500 2009 est. 166 São Tomé and Príncipe 1,400 2009 est. 167 Tanzania 1,400 2009 est. 168 Gambia, The 1,300 2009 est. 169 Haiti 1,300 2009 est. 170 Uganda 1,300 2009 est. 171 Burkina Faso 1,200 2009 est. 172 Burma 1,200 2009 est. 173 Nepal 1,200 2009 est. 174 Guinea 1,100 2009 est. 175 Mali 1,100 2009 est. — Tokelau 1,000 1993 est. 176 Comoros 1,000 2009 est. 177 Madagascar 1,000 2009 est. 178 Rwanda 1,000 2009 est. 179 Ethiopia 900 2009 est. 180 Malawi 900 2009 est. 181 Mozambique 900 2009 est. 182 Sierra Leone 900 2009 est. 183 Togo 900 2009 est. 184 Afghanistan 800 2009 est. 185 Central African Republic 700 2009 est. 186 Eritrea 700 2009 est. 187 Niger 700 2009 est. 188 Guinea-Bissau 600 2009 est. 189 Somalia 600 2009 est. 190 Liberia 500 2009 est. 191 Burundi 300 2009 est. 192 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 300 2009 est. 193 Zimbabwe 200 2008 est.