The Economics Report #1 | By VOA Learning English

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From VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report. 

A new World Bank study says South Asian countries can improve economic conditions for women. The study says the clothing manufacturing industry could provide millions of jobs for women in the area. That is because the cost of making clothing in China is rising. The study finds that Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Cambodia are increasing clothing manufacturing jobs faster than South Asian countries. These include India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. But the study says lower costs and an increasing number of young workers give South Asian countries the chance to compete. Clothing manufacturing is a labor-intensive industry needing many workers. The World Bank study found that in countries where more girls and women work, marriages take place later in life. Women have fewer children. They eat better food and their children are more likely to go to school. All these help an economy grow. The World Bank study says clothing manufacturing can be a valuable industry for development. But, it also says there is a need for industry supervision, better wages, and higher-value products. 

For VOA Learning English, I'm Anne Ball. Thank you for watching and learning with all of us at VOA Learning English.

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1. Industries and methods that need a lot of workers
2. the money earned by an employee, esp. when paid for the hours worked

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