SINGAPORE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — JIOS Aerogel (JIOS), a global leader in silica aerogel technology, today announced that its Korean manufacturing licensee has secured a major contract to supply Thermal Blade® thermal runaway barriers for Hyundai and Kia’s next-generation and Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) models. This milestone represents the first contract delivered under JIOS’s “Hub & Spoke” business model, which licenses the production of finished thermal barriers to experienced automotive suppliers located near end customers.
The contract was awarded following a formal Hyundai Motor Group tender. Mass production is scheduled to commence in June 2027, spanning a projected 12-year period. JIOS anticipates significant order volumes over the mid-to-long term as Hyundai expands its electric vehicle lineup. This partnership validates JIOS’s technology at the highest tier of the automotive industry while ensuring long-term, predictable revenue through its regional manufacturing network.
Introduced in 2025, the “Hub & Spoke” model centralizes core aerogel powder production at JIOS’s Korea facility (the Hub) to maintain strict quality and cost controls. These proprietary powders are then supplied to a global network of licensees (the Spokes) who handle high-volume Thermal Blade® manufacturing. This structure allows JIOS to support regional supply chains and meet localized production requirements without the capital intensity of building and operating multiple downstream assembly plants worldwide.
“By separating upstream powder production from downstream assembly, JIOS can scale revenue without repeated heavy investment in new facilities,” said Stephen Kang, CEO and Co-Founder of JIOS. “Our licensees manage the local assembly footprint, allowing JIOS to build a global network that scales faster than our vertically integrated peers. This capital-efficient approach preserves our resources for high-value technology development while ensuring our business grows in lockstep with global EV demand.”
With facilities in Singapore and Korea, JIOS is strategically positioned to help automakers reduce dependence on traditional supply chains. “Our footprint aligns with the industry trend of localized manufacturing close to final assembly points,” added James Lee, Chairman and Co-Founder. “We are delighted that our first licensee has secured this contract with Hyundai. This success provides a proven blueprint as we finalize similar partnerships with manufacturers in other key automotive regions.”
About JIOS Aerogel
JIOS Aerogel (JIOS) is the world’s leading manufacturer of silica aerogel powder. Headquartered in Singapore, the company was founded in 2013 to pioneer a new process that dramatically lowers the cost of aerogel production. JIOS is on a mission to accelerate the adoption of aerogels to improve the safety and performance of electric-vehicle (EV) batteries. Recognised globally as the premier technology for mitigating thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries, aerogels provide an ultra-thin insulation layer between battery cells, offering exceptional thermal protection at high temperatures. For more information, visit www.jiosaerogel.com.
BEIJING, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A major documentary series focusing on the transformation in recent years of what has been, historically, one of China’s poorer regions – its Northwest – has turned the spotlight on the role of coordinated regional development in China’s ongoing modernization.
”CMG’s First Big Hit of 2026“, CCTV-4 Airs“ The Grand Northwest ”
In ten, 40-minute episodes “The Grand Northwest”, produced by CMG’s CCTV-4 (Asia Channel), weaves together archive materials and contemporary case studies to create a narrative describing, with both historical depth and contemporary warmth, the remarkable progress, both economic and cultural, being made in the five provinces and autonomous regions that form Northwest China – Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai and Xinjiang. Like the earlier “The Grand Northeast”, this series also interprets how that progress is not only benefiting from, but also contributing to, the national development strategy.
Innovative filming techniques capture the spectacular natural beauty of the Northwest, and reveal the spirit of those who have worked to transform the landscape for the benefit of the local communities. From the carefully designed opening sequence to the original score, every element is infused with the distinctive aesthetic of Northwest China.
HONG KONG, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — J&T Global Express (“J&T Express” or “J&T”, 1519.HK), a global leading integrated logistics service operator, and S.F. Holding Co., Ltd. (“SF Holding”, 002352.SZ, 6936.HK) jointly announced today that they have entered into a strategic cross-shareholding agreement involving the mutual issuance of new shares, with an investment and transaction amount of HKD8.3 billion.
Pursuant to the agreement, J&T Express will issue 822 million Class B Shares to SF Holding at an Issue Price of HKD10.10 per share; simultaneously, SF Holding will issue 226 million H Shares to J&T Express at a Subscription Price of HKD36.74 per share. Upon completion, SF Holding will hold 10% of the issued shares of J&T Express as enlarged by the issuance, and J&T Express will hold approximately 4.29% of the issued shares of SF Holding as enlarged by the issuance.
This collaboration is designed to deeply integrate the resources of both industry leaders. The goal is to jointly construct a more extensive, efficient, and resilient global integrated logistics network, better positioning both companies to serve Chinese companies expanding overseas and adapt to the evolving landscape of the global e-commerce logistics market.
The cross-shareholding structure aims to unlock highly complementary strategic synergies. J&T brings its extensive last-mile network and localized operational experience across 13 countries, pairing effectively with SF Holding’s core resources and mature operating systems in cross-border first-mile and line-haul. Together, the parties will enhance the network coverage and competitiveness of their end-to-end cross-border logistics solutions. In the China market, large complementarities in network resources, customer bases, product structures, and differentiated positioning will create broad opportunities to expand service boundaries.
In a joint statement, Mr. Jet Lee, founder of J&T Express, and Mr. Wang Wei, founder of SF Holding, noted that the two companies are long-standing strategic partners and that this cross-shareholding marks a major milestone, elevating their relationship from operational collaboration to a closer, mutually beneficial strategic partnership. They will work together to build a more efficient global smart logistics network, seize the historic opportunities created by Chinese enterprises going global and the rise of cross-border e-commerce, and deliver greater value to customers across global supply chains.
About J&T Express
J&T Express (1519.HK) is a global logistics service provider with leading express delivery businesses in Southeast Asia and China, the largest and fastest-growing market in the world. Founded in 2015, J&T Express’ network spans thirteen countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Mexico, Brazil and Egypt. Adhering to its “customer-oriented and efficiency-based” mission, J&T Express is committed to providing customers with integrated logistics solutions through intelligent infrastructure and digital logistics network, as part of its global strategy to connect the world with greater efficiency and bring logistical benefits to all.
About SF Holding
S.F. Holding Co., Ltd. (002352.SZ; 06936.HK) is the largest integrated logistics service provider in Asia and the fourth largest globally, ranking 393rd on the Fortune Global 500 list. The company provides customers with comprehensive, end-to-end domestic and international logistics solutions. SF Holding boasts an extensive global service network, with its business covering approximately 200 countries and regions, and holds leading positions across multiple logistics segments. SF harnesses technology to empower customers in building secure and efficient smart supply chains, with the vision of becoming the well-respected and the world’s leading digital intelligence logistics solution provider.
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 January 2026 – In 2025, Vietnam marked a pivotal moment in its economic trajectory. Amid persistent global uncertainties, the country recorded GDP growth of 8.02%. Vietnam’s economic scale also reached a new threshold, with GDP estimated at approximately USD 514 billion and GDP per capita surpassing USD 5,000, officially elevating the country into the upper-middle-income category. Notably, Vietnam led ASEAN in growth momentum, reinforcing Vietnam’s rising profile as a resilient and increasingly attractive destination for long-term global capital.
As an economy reaches a new stage of development, the central question is no longer how fast it can grow, but how well it can sustain that growth over time. The development trajectories of many countries show that crossing an income threshold often brings complex structural pressures: Mounting strain on urban infrastructure, environmental degradation, and higher expectations for quality of life.
In this context, traditional growth models, those that prioritize short-term economic returns, begin to reveal their limitations. What emerges instead is a clear demand for development paradigms in which economic performance, environmental resilience, and social value are conceived together from the outset, rather than treated as sequential or secondary considerations.
For Vietnam, this transition is particularly significant as global capital flows increasingly favor ESG-aligned markets, and urban residents shift from a focus on asset ownership to a more holistic pursuit of living quality and long-term wellbeing. Real estate, therefore, is no longer simply a supply-and-demand equation, but a foundational platform for shaping lifestyles, communities, and sustainable urban ecosystems.
It is precisely within this structural shift that Vinhomes Green Paradise is positioned as a forward-looking benchmark, reflecting the long-term vision of Vinhomes to develop real estate on an “ESG++ from the ground up” foundation, where sustainability is not an added feature, but the core architecture that underpins enduring economic and social value.
Geography as Destiny: A Living Natural Heritage
Many believe that Vinhomes Green Paradise is a “new wonder” of modern society, bringing together a rare convergence of forward-looking planning, contemporary living standards, and visionary development. Yet beyond its scale or sophistication, its very location is a wonder in itself. It is a place where human intelligence and capability are applied not to dominate nature, but to collaborate with it, leveraging an irreplaceable “forest-backed, sea-facing” setting that cannot be replicated, while preserving, restoring, and ultimately giving back to the natural environment.
Among more than 90 submissions from across the globe, New7Wonders selected Vinhomes Green Paradise as the first project worldwide to receive the “Official Participant” certification in the global “7 Wonders of Future Cities” campaign.
“This is a truly exceptional project,” said Jean-Paul de la Fuente, Director of New7Wonders and Chairman of the global campaign. “Vinhomes Green Paradise is a ‘precious jewel’, a place that is exceptional for living, working, and enjoying life. The project symbolizes the kind of cities that dare to dream, dare to pave new paths, and dare to break boundaries to realize a future where nature, community, and growth coexist in harmony.”
According to him, this spirit is exactly what the world is seeking in the cities of tomorrow.
After personally visiting the site in Can Gio, Jean-Paul de la Fuente identified the project’s geography as its most irreplaceable asset. Spanning 2,870 hectares, Vinhomes Green Paradise is uniquely positioned between two globally significant ecosystems. To the front lies the vast Pacific Ocean, with 121 kilometers of coastline. Behind it stretches the 75,000-hectare Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO.
At the heart of the megacity sits an 800-hectare saltwater lagoon, the largest of its kind in the world, functioning as a natural ecological regulator, a “green heart” sustaining biodiversity, climate balance, and urban vitality.
Unlike many coastal developments around the world, nature here is not reduced to a backdrop. It is treated as a living heritage, actively preserved and regenerated through dedicated mangrove restoration funds that protect not only the project, but also the ecological shield of Ho Chi Minh City.
While many global developments aim to comply with ESG standards, Vinhomes Green Paradise goes further, introducing an ESG++ model built on five pillars: Environment, Social, Governance, Regeneration, and Adaptation.
This approach reflects a paradigm shift in urban development. Cities of the future must not merely “do less harm”. They must actively give back to nature and society.
Jean-Paul emphasized the importance of this vision: “Future sustainable cities must not ‘take’ from nature, they must ‘give back,’ helping restore and nurture the planet.”
This regenerative mindset is embedded from the earliest stages of construction. Advanced K-DPM technology transforms dredged soft mud into durable construction material, completely eliminating waste discharge into the environment, a breakthrough in large-scale coastal development.
Technology as the City’s Invisible Infrastructure
If nature is the soul of Vinhomes Green Paradise, technology is its invisible nervous system. The entire megacity is designed to operate on 100% clean energy, sourced from offshore wind turbines located 20 kilometers from shore and large-scale solar systems. Transportation within the city and connections to central Ho Chi Minh City are oriented toward zero emissions, supported by electric mobility and high-speed rail.
IoT, AI, and Big Data platforms operate continuously to monitor environmental quality, optimize energy use, and provide early warnings for climate-related risks, ensuring resilience in an era of increasing uncertainty.
One of the core criteria of the “7 Wonders of Future Cities” campaign is placing people at the heart of urban design. At Vinhomes Green Paradise, this principle is elevated further: Residents are not passive beneficiaries, but active co-creatorsof the city.
The megacity features globally scaled cultural and lifestyle landmarks, including a 122-hectare entertainment complex, the 7-hectare Blue Waves Theatre with 5,000 seats, an outdoor performance plaza for 60,000 people, two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Tiger Woods and Robert Trent Jones, a 108-story tower among the world’s top 10 tallest, and the Cosmo Bay night-time economy hub.
Healthcare, education, and lifelong wellbeing are equally prioritized, with Vinmec healthcare partnering with Cleveland Clinic (USA), Vinschool and Brighton College (UK) in education, and Vin New Horizon redefining senior living. Together, they form an ecosystem where human potential is continuously nurtured.
Residents also play a direct role in environmental stewardship, participating in biodiversity monitoring, mangrove planting, waste sorting, and adopting electric mobility, becoming true “ecological ambassadors” of Can Gio.
The Wonders of the Future Are Being Built Today
For Jean-Paul de la Fuente, Vinhomes Green Paradise represents far more than an urban project. “The project is positioned as a powerful symbol of Vietnam’s national aspirations and its determination to assert its place on the global stage. What was seen on site is only a small part of a much larger vision,” he said.
Reflecting on the impact of previous New7Wonders campaigns, he noted: “The previous two campaigns, ‘New7Wonders of the World’ and ‘New7Wonders of Nature’, both generated what researchers call the ‘Wonder Effect,’ significantly boosting the economies and societies of the winning destinations.”
Drawing a parallel with Ha Long Bay, he added that he truly believe Vinhomes Green Paradise can achieve something similar, but on an even larger scale, competing directly with iconic cities around the world.”
As Jean-Paul concluded: “If our previous campaigns celebrated the heritage of the past and the beauty of the present, then the ‘7 Wonders of Future Cities’ campaign celebrates the vision being created for future generations.”
“The wonders of the future are taking shape today through the choices, creativity, and determination of pioneering urban planners and developers.”
In that global narrative, Vinhomes Green Paradise stands as a powerful testament to Vietnam’s ambition: A city where geography itself is a wonder, where growth does not compromise the future, and where nature, technology, and humanity evolve together, creating a legacy not just for Vietnam, but for the world.
Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
LOS ANGELES, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 January 2026 – The Golden Globes red carpet was undeniably a diamond night, with natural diamonds taking center stage across jewelry categories, silhouettes, and color palettes. Rather than leaning solely on traditional white diamonds, attendees embraced colored diamonds as a form of personal expression. This shift reflected the fashion on the carpet, where softer pastels replaced the usual dominance of black, jewel tones, and stark white, creating a more personality-driven red carpet.
Natural diamond jewelry highlights from the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards; From left to right: Colman Domingo, Jessie Buckley, Teyana Taylor and Dakota Fanning (Credits: Getty Images and WireImage)
Desert Diamonds: Warm Tones and Natural Beauty
Desert diamonds, ranging from soft yellows to intense oranges and pinks, were the biggest new trend on the red carpet. Winner Jessie Buckley wore Martin Katz Desert diamonds from Botswana, including a fancy orangey-pink moval diamond ring with pink and white diamond accents, and pink and white Desert diamond earrings. Hailee Steinfeld showcased multiple Repossi yellow diamond pieces, including a cushion-shaped yellow diamond ring and necklace from the brand’s Blast High Jewellery collection, along with a single pear- and oval-cut yellow diamond earring from the Serti sur Vide collection. Winner Teyana Taylor wore archival Tiffany & Co. earrings from the late 1940s, featuring sunlit white and colored diamonds, bridging vintage glamour with modern styling. Charli XCX appeared in De Beers London yellow diamond earrings. Presenter Keltie Knight opted for a Premier Gem radiant-cut honey-colored diamond ring with trillions, Asscher-cut drop earrings, and a mixed fancy-shape yellow and white diamond bracelet.
Winner Jessie Buckley wore Martin Katz Desert diamonds from Botswana
Earrings: A Story in Three Parts
Natural diamond earrings emerged as a defining jewelry category of the night, with a clear throughline that played out in three distinct styles: button, cluster, and drop.
Minimal yet impactful, button earrings offered a refined counterpoint to more dramatic looks. Emily Blunt wore classic Tiffany & Co. button earrings, reinforcing the enduring elegance of clean diamond silhouettes, while Zoë Kravitz chose Jessica McCormack button earrings, delivering understated glamour with a modern edge.
Hailee Steinfeld showcased multiple Repossi yellow diamond pieces, from the brand’s Blast High Jewellery collection and the Serti sur Vide collection
Cluster earrings leaned into drama and scale with Kylie Jenner making a statement in large Lorraine Schwartz cluster earrings, and Selena Gomez in Chanel High Jewelry cluster earrings.
Drop earrings appeared in two distinct expressions: sleek linear drops and timeless classic ones. Chase Infiniti wore De Beers London linear drop earrings, offering a modern, architectural take on diamond drops. Kate Hudson chose linear drop earrings from Garatti Jewelry that echoed the design of her silver gown. Sabrina Elba wore Jessica McCormack classic drop earrings and Kirsten Dunst opted for delicate ASHOKA diamond drop earrings.
Maximalist Brooches
Brooches made a confident showing, worn either scattered across tailoring or as bold singular statements, particularly in menswear. Colman Domingo wore multiple custom diamond lily brooches by Boucheron for an expressive, fashion-forward approach. Tramell Tillman chose a large Boucheron feather brooch, using scale to anchor his ensemble, while Connor Storrie wore the iconic Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock brooch. Benny Blanco leaned fully into maximalism wearing an expressive Neil Lane diamond brooch.
Riviera Necklaces: Classic and Modern Interpretations
Riviera necklaces made a notable return at the Golden Globes, appearing in both timeless, Old Hollywood silhouettes and modern reinterpretations. Aimee Lou Wood wore a modern riviera necklace by David Yurman, offering a contemporary take on the classic style. Minnie Driver and Dakota Fanning embraced tradition in classic riviera necklaces by Rahaminov Diamonds and Fred Leighton respectively. Amy Poehler opted for a more dramatic approach, wearing a statement riviera necklace by Boucheron, proving the silhouette’s versatility across both classic and bold styling.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services via De Beers Institute of Diamonds and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology systems via De Beers Group Ignite. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal
opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American PLC group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
Vancouver, British Columbia – Newsfile Corp. – January 14, 2026 – Casa Minerals Inc. (TSXV: CASA) (OTCQB: CASXF) (FSE: 0CM) (the “Company” or “Casa”) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing (the “Offering”) for aggregate gross proceeds of $800,000.
Under the terms of the Offering, the Company may issue up to 6,400,000 units (each, a “Unit”) at a price of $0.125 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a “Share”) and one common share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional Share for a period of two years from the date of issuance. The warrant exercise strike price is $0.15/share in the first three months and automatically converts to $0.20 per share then after for the remainder of the two years period.
A Finder’s Fee of 6% in cash or Shares is payable to eligible finders on all or a portion of the Offering in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange policies.
The net proceeds from the Offering will be used primarily for general and administrative expenses and for property investigations on the Company’s projects in Arizona and British Columbia.
The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four (4) months and one day from the date of closing in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary approvals, including final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.
About Casa Minerals Inc.
Casa Minerals Inc. is a company engaged in gold exploration in two prominent regions: Arizona and British Columbia, Canada. The company is involved in gold exploration on the Congress Gold Mine, a past producing mine located in Arizona. The company is also active in copper-gold exploration in British Columbia, Canada. Casa Minerals’ management team has a track record of numerous discoveries in the exploration sector. The Company is committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery and development of economic mineral deposits.
About Casa Minerals Inc.
Casa Minerals Inc. is a company engaged in gold, and copper exploration in two prominent regions: Arizona and British Columbia, Canada. The company is involved in gold exploration on the Congress Gold Mine, a past-producing mine located in Arizona. The company is also active in copper-gold exploration in British Columbia, Canada. Casa Minerals’ management team has a track record of numerous discoveries in the exploration sector. The Company is committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery and development of economic mineral deposits.
NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HONG KONG, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AIM Vaccine (06660.HK), a leading domestic vaccine company, announced on January 15 that its research and development of the iterative process high-efficiency diploid rabies vaccine has successfully completed the Phase III clinical site work. This marks the official entry of the vaccine into a new phase, laying a solid foundation for future commercialization. At this critical juncture where the vaccine industry is shifting from “scale expansion” to “value competition,” AIM’s iterative rabies vaccine will provide strong support for the company’s performance through its hardcore commercial value.
In a vaccine market with severe homogenization, differentiation is the strongest competitive advantage. AIM’s iterative process high-efficiency diploid rabies vaccine demonstrates significant differentiation and technical advantages in several aspects. Firstly, it has the characteristic of ultra-high efficacy. Animal studies show it generates high levels of protective antibodies after immunization, significantly outperforming existing marketed diploid rabies vaccines under the same dosage conditions. This vaccine supports flexible administration methods such as the “five-dose” and “four-dose” regimens.
Secondly, compared to traditional first-generation diploid rabies vaccines, AIM’s vaccine has broken through the technical bottleneck of low virus titer and yield in traditional processes. It has optimized and innovated the purification process, significantly improving product quality and safety. This represents not only the company’s R&D capabilities but also a major breakthrough in the field of high-efficiency rabies vaccine technology globally.
Additionally, AIM has constructed a workshop for the iterative process high-efficiency diploid rabies vaccine that fully meets international standards and has completed the production of samples for commercial-scale Phase III clinical trials, demonstrating the capacity for large-scale production of this product.
The differentiated technical competitiveness has strengthened market confidence in the commercial prospects of AIM’s iterative process high-efficiency diploid rabies vaccine. Unlike traditional Vero cell rabies vaccines, diploid rabies vaccines use human diploid cells, which share a natural safety advantage. Currently, diploid rabies vaccines on the market are priced 3 to 5 times higher than Vero cell rabies vaccines, providing greater product added value. More importantly, this product is part of the company’s global layout, contributing additional revenue, enhancing its market position, and adding new momentum for the company’s continuous and stable development.
AIM’s strategy in the rabies vaccine field is unique in the industry, with a complete product matrix ranging from traditional Vero cell vaccines to diploid rabies vaccines, iterative serum-free rabies vaccines, and cutting-edge mRNA vaccines. This multi-layered and multi-dimensional product layout strategy has established strong technical barriers and competitive advantages for the company.
PRC is the largest rabies vaccine market globally. According to statistics from China Insights Consultancy, driven by product updates and increased rabies vaccine coverage, it is expected to reach RMB14.8 billion by 2030. Analysts believe that as multiple iterative rabies vaccine products are launched, AIM will form a product matrix covering different price ranges and demand scenarios, achieving dual growth in both “technology premium and scale effect” in domestic and international markets.
Vientiane Capital, Laos. This image is used for representational purpose only. (Photo credit: Business Information Center)
The Lao government has set a target of at least six percent economic growth in 2026, supported by fiscal reforms, major infrastructure projects, and preparations for national elections, officials said.
Government Spokesperson Sonexay Sitphaxay announced the target on 13 January following the Second Enlarged Government Meeting held from 12 to 13 January.
A key pillar of the 2026 agenda is strengthening public finances. Authorities aim to raise state revenue to at least 20 percent of gross domestic product through reforms to modernize tax and revenue collection systems.
Officials said the measures are intended to close tax gaps, improve compliance, and increase efficiency.
Inflation control remains a priority after consumer prices declined from a peak of 31.23 percent in 2023 to 23.13 percent in 2024 and 7.7 percent in 2025.
The government is implementing policies to stabilize the exchange rate, strengthen the Lao kip, and expand the use of local currency in regional trade.
Infrastructure and Energy Development
Alongside fiscal measures, the government is emphasizing infrastructure development as a long-term driver of growth and regional integration.
Several large-scale projects have been approved or are moving into early implementation stages.
Among them is Phase I of the Laos–Vietnam railway, a 147-kilometer section linking Thakhek district to the Laos–Vietnam border in Khammouane Province under a build-operate-transfer model.
The project is expected to complement existing rail connections with China and Thailand. Plans are also underway for a second railway bridge across the Mekong River linking Vientiane Capital with Thailand’s Nong Khai Province.
Energy development remains another core pillar of the growth strategy, supporting both domestic demand and power exports to neighboring countries.
The sector continues to attract investment in clean energy and cross-border transmission. Reflecting this push, Laos inaugurated a 1,000-megawatt solar power plant in Oudomxay Province in mid-December 2025, the largest such facility in the country to date.
The government is also preparing for elections to the 10th National Assembly scheduled for 22 February, while continuing efforts to graduate from least developed country status in 2026.
Under the 10th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2026–2030, authorities are targeting average annual economic growth of at least six percent, with gross domestic product per capita projected to reach USD 3,104 by 2030
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