Laos Finance Minister Soulivong Daravong

Lao officials say their aggregate foreign trade deficit totals over $1 billion for the past five years, adding they expect the deficit will continue at the same level for five more years or until 2010.

The officials say their exports increase at an annual rate of almost 6% for the same period, totalling $1,830 million. But overall imports amount to over $2,860 million, generating a deficit of over $1,030 million.

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