Kingdom of Lesotho
Capital: Maseru
HDI: 0.0.486 (162nd)
Language: English, Sesotho
GDP (PPP): $6.017 billion
Currency: Lesotho Loti
Population: 2,067,000
Lesotho, officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is an enclaved, landlocked country in southern Africa completely surrounded by South Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population slightly over two million. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The name Lesotho translates roughly into the land of the people who speak Sesotho.[5] About 40% of the population lives below the international poverty line of US $1.25 a day.
The Lesotho Government is a parliamentary or constitutional monarchy. The Prime Minister, Pakalitha Mosisili, is head of government and has executive authority. The King of Lesotho, Letsie III, serves a largely ceremonial function; he no longer possesses any executive authority and is prohibited from actively participating in political initiatives. The Democratic Congress leads a coalition government in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. The upper house of parliament, called the Senate, is composed of twenty-two principal chiefs whose membership is hereditary, and eleven appointees of the king, acting on the advice of the prime minister.
RESEARCH
Economic Overview
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Lesotho Economy – overview
http://www.indexmundi.com/lesotho/economy_overview.html
Small, mountainous, and completely landlocked by South Africa, Lesotho depends on a narrow economic base of textile manufacturing, agriculture, remittances, and regional customs revenue.Â
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Lesotho Overview – World Bank
http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/lesotho/overview
Growth is expected to remain low as in 2015 with an estimated 2.7% in 2015 to 2.6% in 2016 due to weak growth prospects in South Africa, lower Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) revenues and lower global growth prospects.
Industry Trends & Business Climate
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Business Environment Snapshot for Lesotho
http://rru.worldbank.org/BESnapshots/Lesotho/default.aspx
According to Enterprise Surveys, the top 3 obstacles to running a business in Lesotho to be Access to Finance, Corruption and Tax Rates.Â
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Business | Maseru, Lesotho
https://maseru.usembassy.gov/doing-business-local.html
This site provides information for current and potential investors in Lesotho from the US Embassy there.
Establishing a Presence
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Starting a Business in Lesotho
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/lesotho/starting-a-business
This site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Lesotho.
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OBFC – Starting a Business in Lesotho
http://www.obfc.org.ls/business/
A company is a legal person, separate from those who own or manage it. This site discusses the benefits of company formation.
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Lesotho Revenue Authority
http://www.lra.org.ls/Starting_a_new_business.php
This guide explains tax registration, tax reporting and filing requirements for the newly established businesses. This section discusses who is required to be registered, and when to file tax returns. It serves as a basic brief guide for newly established businesses.Â
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Starting a Business in Lesotho
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/lesotho/starting-a-business
This site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Lesotho.
Taxes
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Lesotho Corporate Tax Rate 2004-2016
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/lesotho/corporate-tax-rate
The Corporate Tax Rate in Lesotho stands at 25 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Lesotho averaged 27.50 percent from 2004 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 35 percent in 2005 and a record low of 25 percent in 2007. Corporate Tax Rate in Lesotho is reported by the Commissioner of Income Tax.
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Lesotho Corporate Tax Rate Forecast 2016-2020
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/lesotho/corporate-tax-rate/forecast
In the long-term, the Lesotho Corporate Tax Rate is projected to trend around 25.00 percent in 2020, according to our econometric models.
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Lesotho Personal Income Tax Rate | 2006-2016
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/lesotho/personal-income-tax-rate
The Personal Income Tax Rate in Lesotho stands at 30 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Lesotho averaged 34.50 percent from 2006 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 35 percent in 2007 and a record low of 30 percent in 2015. Personal Income Tax Rate in Lesotho is reported by the Ministry of Finance.
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Lesotho – Personal Income Tax Rate
http://ieconomics.com/lesotho-personal-income-tax-rate
In 2015 the personal tax rate declined from 35% to 30%
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Paying Taxes in LesothoÂ
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/lesotho/paying-taxes
This World Bank site lists the tax obligations in Lesotho including the VAT rate at 14%
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VAT – Lesotho Revenue Authority
http://www.lra.org.ls/Vat.php
Value Added Tax (VAT) is a form of an indirect tax levied on goods and services supplied in and outside Lesotho. It was introduced in July 2003 to replace an old system of indirect taxation called General Sales Tax (GST).
Visas
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Lesotho Visa
https://lesotho.visahq.com/
Comprehensive Information on Lesotho Visa Requirements
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Lesotho: Visa and Passport requirements
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/lesotho/passport-visa
Lesotho visa and passport requirements & Embassy and Colsulate addresses. Full detail on passports, visas and entry requirements for Lesotho, including types, costs
Infrastructure
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Lesotho Transportation – Taxi, Train, Bus & Airport Tips
https://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Lesotho/Transportation-Lesotho-TG-C-1.html
Tips on getting to and getting around Lesotho from real travelers and locals.
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Transport in Lesotho – Commonwealth of Nations
http://www.commonwealthofnations.org/sectors-lesotho/travel/transport/
It is easy to get around Lesotho either by driving or using public transport. Adventurous travellers can choose public transport such as coaches or minibus taxis.
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Lesotho – Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband
https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Lesotho-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses
Telecom services in Lesotho are managed by a privatised national operator, Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL). There is effective competition in the mobile sector between South Africa-based Vodacom and ETL, though mobile market penetration remains below the regional average.
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Telecommunications in Lesotho – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_in_Lesotho
Telecommunications in Lesotho include radio, television, print and online newspapers, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet.
Employer Obligations
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EFFECTIVENES OFÂ LABOURÂ LAWÂ IN LESOTHO
http://ifrnd.org/Research%20Papers/S5(2)3.pdf
This site provides a commentary on the effectiveness of the labor law in the textile industry in Lesotho
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Guide to Law Online: LesothoÂ
http://www.loc.gov/law/help/guide/nations/lesotho.php
General guide to the laws governing Lesotho from the US Library of Congress
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Labor Market Regulation in Lesotho
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/lesotho/labor-market-regulation
This site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Lesotho.Â
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Guide to Law Online: LesothoÂ
http://www.loc.gov/law/help/guide/nations/lesotho.php
General guide to the laws governing Lesotho from the US Library of Congress
Culture/Living
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Cost of Living in Lesotho. Prices
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Lesotho
Average prices of more than 40 products and services in Lesotho. Prices of restaurants, food, transportation, utilities and housing are included.
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Travel Advice and Advisories for Lesotho
https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/lesotho
Current travel advisory from the Canadian governmentThere is no nationwide advisory in effect for Lesotho. However, you should exercise a high degree of caution due to crime.
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Lesotho Education System
http://www.classbase.com/Countries/Lesotho/Education-System
This site provides a brief description of each level of education in Lesotho
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International Schools in Lesotho
http://www.expat-quotes.com/guides/lesotho/education/international-schools-in-lesotho.htm
On this site you will find a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Lesotho with fee information.Â
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Lesotho Public Holidays 2016
http://holidayyear.com/holidays/Lesotho
Lesotho holidays 2016, bank holidays, national holidays, official holiday calendar, religious festivals and celebrations for the year 2016
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Lesotho Public Holidays 2016 and 2017
http://africapublicholidays.com/lesotho/
Discover the complete list of Lesotho’s public holidays for 2016 and 2017
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Lesotho culture customs and etiquette
http://www.anothertravel.com/lesotho-culture/
Learn about Lesotho culture customs and etiquette. Lesotho society, its people, manners, and protocol.
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Lesotho – Culture, Customs &Â Etiquette
http://guide.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=116
Guide to travel, doing business, and studying in Lesotho – culture, greetings, gestures,etiquette, taboos, negotiations, gift-giving, and more.
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Maseru, Lesotho Weather Forecast and Conditions
https://weather.com/weather/today/l/Maseru+Lesotho+LTXX0001
Current weather conditions in Lesotho
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Climate of Lesotho | Lesotho Meteorological Services
http://www.lesmet.org.ls/cimatology/climate-lesotho
The climate of Lesotho is primarily influenced by the country’s location in the Karoo Basin, spanning altitudes ranging from about 1,400m to above 3,480m above sea level. The oceanic influences of both Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean have insignificant contribution to the climate of Lesotho
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Lesotho travel advice – GOV.UK
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lesotho
Latest travel advice for Lesotho including safety and security, entry requirements, travelwarnings and health
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Lesotho Living CostÂ
http://www.livingcost.net/country/lesotho/
Lesotho cost of living and prices on all products groups and services. Prices comparison.
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Lesotho Demographics Profile 2016
http://www.indexmundi.com/lesotho/demographics_profile.html
Demographic facts and statistics for Lesotho
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Demographics of Lesotho – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Lesotho
This site discusses the demographic features of the population of Lesotho, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
Trade
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Trade Agreements – Department of Trade and Industry
http://www.thedti.gov.za/trade_investment/ited_trade_agreement.jsp
A listing of African trade agreements including those that involve Lesotho
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WTO | Lesotho – Member information
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/lesotho_e.htm
This site provides key information on Lesotho’s participation in the WTO. Lesotho has been a member of WTO since 31 May 1995 and  a member of GATT since 8 January 1988.
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Customs: Regulations, Export-ImportÂ
https://lesotho.visahq.com/customs/
Lesotho Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exporting goods at border.Â
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The Lesotho Trade Portal
http://www.lesothotradeportal.org.ls/
Information for both import and export
Housing and Rentals
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Lesotho Accommodation – SafariNow.com
https://www.safarinow.com/destinations/lesotho/hub.aspx
A guide to hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, camping sites and other accommodations in Lesotho
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The 10 Best Hotels in Lesotho
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g293802-Lesotho-Hotels.html
Find 1,152 traveler reviews, candid photos, and prices for 15hotels in Lesotho.
Travel
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Lesotho 2016: Best of Lesotho Tourism
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g293802-Lesotho-Vacations.html
TripAdvisor has 2,908 reviews of Lesotho Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Lesotho resource.
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Lesotho Tours & Travel | Intrepid Travel
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/lesotho
Nestled Switzerland-like in the heart of South Africa, Lesotho is the ‘Kingdom in the Sky’. This little landlocked country offers a pocket-sized package of stunning mountain scenery, hiking opportunities and wildlife spotting.Â
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