Business

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 percent to 7 percent a year as inflation remains below the government’s 8 percent target. The Monetary Policy Committee approved the cut at its meeting on 20 August, where it reviewed monetary policy, economic conditions, fuel...

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...

Chinese Commerce Chamber Urges Businesses in Laos to Cut Ties with Scam Networks

The General Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Laos has told its members to check...

StarExpress Tourist Train Launches, Connecting Kunming to Laos

On 24 September, the StarExpress, a new cross-border tourist train, launched its inaugural journey from Kunming, China, to Luang Prabang and Vientiane, Laos.  This new...

Laos Faces Eighth Consecutive Month of Trade Deficit

Laos recorded a trade deficit of USD 129 million in August, marking the eighth straight month of trade deficits in 2024, according to data...

Salavan, Ubon Ratchathani Provinces Agree on Cross-Border Water Transport Deal

Laos’ Salavan Province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani Province have agreed to enhance cooperation on water transport, aiming to improve regional connectivity through key international...

Lao Producers Gear Up for Duty-Free Exports to UK Under New Trade Scheme

Lao food and drink producers are preparing to export their products tariff-free to the United Kingdom (UK) under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme...

China-Laos Railway Facilitates Regional Trade Surge, Handling Over 10 Million Tons of Goods

Since its launch on 3 December 2021, the China-Laos Railway has handled over 10 million tons of goods valued at CNY 40.77 billion (USD...

Indonesian President-Elect Visits Laos, Forges Stronger Bilateral, Regional Ties

Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto visited Laos on 6 September and met with President Thongloun Sisoulith. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties between Indonesia...