Development

Prime Minister Calls for Tighter Oversight of Boten SEZ Amid Development Challenges

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has called for stronger management of the Boten Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Luang Namtha as Laos seeks to expand the border area as a trade and investment hub. Laos began developing the Boten SEZ in 2012 to attract investment in finance, trade, industry, transport and...

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...

Laos Attracts USD 8.5 Billion in Investment Projects in First Seven Months of 2026

Laos attracted over USD 8.5 billion in investment approvals during the first seven months...

Laos State Utility Revenue Grows 9.4 Percent in First Half of 2026

Electricité du Laos (EDL), the state-owned power utility, grew its revenue by 9.4 percent...

Oudomxay Seeks More Railway Services to Boost Investment

Authorities in Oudomxay Province, northern Laos, have announced plans to expand railway services and...

Laos–China 500 kV Power Line Fully Connected, Operations to Begin in April

Laos and China have completed the full connection of the Laos–China 500 kilovolt (kV) power transmission line, further enhancing their cross-border energy cooperation. since the...

Vietnam-Backed Aluminum Project in Sekong Advances Toward 2028 Launch

A major aluminum smelting project in Sekong Province is expected to produce up to 1 million tonnes of aluminum annually once fully operational, with...

Hungary Advances Wastewater Project in Vientiane, Extends Scholarships for Laos

Hungary has moved forward with key development support for Laos, reviewing progress on a major wastewater treatment project in Vientiane and confirming continued scholarship...

Russia-Funded Rehabilitation of Mittaphab Hospital Reaches 53 Percent Completion

The rehabilitation of  Mittaphab Hospital, also commonly known as a 150-bed hospital in Vientiane, has reached 53 percent completion, according to recent project updates. The...

Laos Records 4.8 Percent Growth in 2025, Sets Higher Economic Targets for 2026

Laos recorded economic growth of 4.8 percent in 2025, signalling a steady recovery across major sectors, according to the Lao Statistics Bureau.  Services, manufacturing, and...

Laos Sends First Banana Shipment to China as Rail Cargo Volumes Continue to Rise

Laos has completed its first banana export to Chongqing, China using sealed rail-to-rail transport, as part of efforts to expand agricultural exports through the...