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Chinese Student Population Boom in Missouri Impacts State Economy
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, (SLFP.com), February 7, 2010 - Missouri has a booming trade with China, but the product is knowledge instead of manufactured goods. Chinese make up the largest percentage of international students drawn here to study at Missouri colleges and universities.
The visit this week from Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong elicited ideas for ways to increase exports to China and establish St. Louis as a hub for trade. But Missouri is already a hub of sorts for Chinese students, who make up almost a quarter of all international students enrolled in Missouri colleges and universities.
Commissioner of Higher Education Robert Stein says Missouri ranks 17th in the nation in the number of international students enrolled in U.S. institutions. "Knowledge has become an international commodity," Stein says. "Our colleges and universities are competing successfully in this global market."
There were 2,173 students from China at Missouri colleges and universities in the 2007-08 academic year, among 11,285 international students in all, up 7.1 percent from the previous year. Estimated expenditures made by foreign students in Missouri total $270.9 million. Most international students pay their own way to study in Missouri institutions.
The Missouri Department of Higher Education and 23 colleges and universities formed the Study Missouri Consortium last year to promote Missouri as a destination for international students, and to encourage Missouri students to seek opportunities to study abroad.
Research Associate Heather MacCleoud, one of the Study Missouri organizers, says global trade requires the knowledge and experience provided by international education. "Missouri employees will need the competence to work in a cross-cultural environment for partnerships with China and other countries to succeed," MacCleoud says. "Last year, almost 5,000 Missouri college students took advantage of study abroad opportunities."
The Study Missouri Consortium is sponsoring International Education Day at the Capitol on Feb. 24. Commissioner of Higher Education Robert Stein says such events in years past have been extremely popular among foreign students.
"They are truly thrilled to be able to be able to witness democracy in action," Stein says. "For many, it is the first time they have been able to actually meet an elected official. It is an experience that stays with them and has positive repercussions around the world."
Cadillac SRX retail sales were up 218 percent vs. last year, the fifth consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year.
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Crossovers and Passenger Cars Drive GM Sales Growth
DETROIT, MI, (SLFP.com), February 7, 2010 - U.S. dealers for GM's brands - Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac - reported retail sales of 102,420, up 3 percent compared to January 2009, and 145,098 total sales (up 30 percent).
These results were driven by the continued strong growth of new GM crossovers and passenger cars. For the month, GM dealers reported 146,825 total sales (including other brands), representing a total sales increase of 14 percent from the previous year.
"This is the fourth month in a row that Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac have shown a collective year-over-year retail sales increase," said Susan Docherty, GM vice president, Sales, Service and Marketing. "Our long-term plan to continue to focus and strengthen our brands is delivering results."
Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac comprised 98 percent of the company's retail sales in January, compared to 85 percent a year earlier. Retail sales, including other brands, in the U.S. were 104,122 during the month. This represents a 10 percent decline from a year ago, driven by other brand sales - Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and HUMMER - that were 90 percent lower. GM dealers delivered 42,703 fleet vehicles, comprising 29 percent of total deliveries for the month.
Other Key Facts:
-- Chevrolet Equinox retail sales increased 67 percent; estimated retail
share of the compact crossover segment is up 5 points (Jan. 2009 vs.
Jan. 2010)
-- GMC Terrain retail sales were up 162 percent (compared to the vehicle
it replaces, Pontiac Torrent); estimated retail share of the compact
crossover segment is up more than 3 points (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010)
-- Cadillac SRX retail sales were up 218 percent vs. last year, the fifth
consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year;
SRX gained approximately 15 points of retail share in the Mid-lux SUV
crossover segment (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010)
-- In their first year on sale, GM Compact Crossovers - Chevrolet Equinox
and GMC Terrain - have become the second best selling crossovers in
the industry
-- GM sells more crossovers than any other automaker, representing
approximately 20 percent of industry crossovers sold
-- Buick LaCrosse retail sales were up 142 percent, the fourth
consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year;
LaCrosse gained an estimated 12 points of retail segment share, making
it number one in its segment (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010)
-- Chevrolet dealers sold 5,371 Camaros - the eighth straight month it
has outsold Mustang
"Our launch vehicles such as the Chevrolet Equinox and Camaro, Buick LaCrosse, GMC Terrain, and Cadillac SRX continue to attract new customers to our brands," Docherty said. "In addition to styling and fuel efficiency, customers have told us they want safe, high quality vehicles. They can have peace of mind knowing that our vehicles come standard with our 5-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and OnStar."
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Express Scripts Supports Red Cross Haiti Relief Efforts
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), February 7, 2010 - Express Scripts, Inc. said that employees have donated more then $97,000 to the Red Cross for its emergency relief and recovery efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. With a dollar for dollar match by the Express Scripts Foundation, the total donation was more then $194,000.
"Express Scripts and its employees are deeply saddened by the devastation in Haiti following the January 12 earthquake," said George Paz, chairman and CEO of Express Scripts. "Our employees have rallied to support the efforts of the Red Cross as they and so many other relief organizations provide critical assistance to those who need it most. I am delighted that the Express Scripts Foundation is doubling that support."
The Express Scripts Foundation is a private foundation established by Express Scripts, Inc. in 2002. Express Scripts and the Foundation are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities in need.
"We are touched and grateful for the generosity of Express Scripts employees and Foundation," said Cindy Erickson, CEO, American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. "The relief operation in Haiti is already the largest single-country personnel deployment in global Red Cross history. Donations such as these help us to deploy much-needed personnel, send relief supplies and provide financial resources."
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Vendors like Sal's Produce at Soulard Market are preparing for thousands of revelers who are expected to stretch along the River City Casino Grand Parade route from Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis to Anheuser-Busch in the historic Soulard neighborhood to catch beads thrown from the floats. >>>
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