Business

Laos Tightens Foreign Borrowing Rules as Debt Risks Persist

Laos has tightened controls on foreign borrowing as the government seeks to limit debt risks and reduce pressure on foreign-currency reserves and the Lao kip. Under a new Bank of Laos decision issued in August, individuals and companies must obtain central bank approval before taking certain loans, guarantees, trade credits...

Laos Cuts 7-Day Base Interest Rate to 7% as Economic Risks Persist

The Bank of Laos (BOL) has cut its seven-day base interest rate from 8...

Laos Studies USD 1 Billion Vientiane-Lidu Industrial Park in Pakngum

On 13 August, Laos agreed to study the development of a new industrial park...

Vientiane Halts New Microfinance, Pawnshop Licenses Amid Regulatory Review

On 31 July, the Bank of the Lao PDR (BoL) suspended applications for new...

Lao Authorities, Lao Bank Seek Legal Action Against Thai Media Over Money Laundering Claims

On 31 July, Lao authorities and Lao Development Bank (LDB) met with Thailand's Central...

Don Sahong Hydropower Project Comes Online

The Don Sahong Hydropower Project on the Mekong River in Champasack Province has officially come online. Turbines have now entered commercial operations, according to Chinese...

Unitel Tests 5G Network in Vientiane

Unitel has officially conducted a 5G test in Laos, becoming the second player to do so after state-owned Lao Telecom. The test, which showed a...

LOCA to add Minivan Drivers to its Ridesharing Fleet

LOCA and the Vientiane-based Minivan Association have signed an MOU to welcome 240 minivan association members to the LOCA platform, increasing ease of access...

New Ridesharing Service DriveUp to Challenge LOCA

Cambodia’s Meal Temple Group has launched its new DriveUp ridesharing service in Laos, becoming the second player in the country after locally-grown LOCA. Meal Temple,...

LOCA, Lanexang Insurance Join Hands for Better Protection Standard

Laos’s first ride-hailing service LOCA has signed a cooperative agreement with Vientiane-based insurance firm Lanexang Assurance Public Company in a move to enhance the...

Lao Asean Leasing (LALCO) Listed on Lao Securities Exchange

The Lao Securities Exchange (LSX) has launched the trading of the shares of Lao Asean Leasing Public Company (LALCO), marking the 11th company registered...