Development

Laos Collects USD 12 Million in Digital Taxes From Global Tech Companies

Laos has collected approximately USD 12 million in digital taxes from global technology companies since introducing its digital tax system in late 2024, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Santiphab Phomvihane. The tax applies to foreign digital service providers without a physical presence in Laos, including Microsoft,...

Vietnam, Philippines Reach Upper-Middle-Income Status as Laos Eyes 2035 Target

Vietnam and the Philippines have been reclassified as upper-middle-income economies by the World Bank,...

Vientiane Completes New 9.3-Kilometer Mekong Embankment

On 1 July, Vientiane officially opened a new 9.3-kilometer stretch of Mekong riverfront featuring...

Laos Reports Economic Growth as Inflation Slows to 7.4 Percent in June

Laos recorded 5 percent economic growth in the first half of 2026, while inflation...

Japan Approves USD 2.3 Million Scholarship Grant for Lao Civil Servants

Japan has approved JPY 378 million (USD 2.3 million) in scholarship funding to support...

World Bank Backs Laos in Boosting Education, Health Worker Performance

On 16 January, the World Bank (WB) approved a new project aimed at strengthening the performance of primary education and health workers in Laos...

Laos Inflation Falls to 7.7 Percent in 2025, Showing Signs of Economic Stabilization

Laos’ average inflation fell to 7.7 percent in 2025, down sharply from 23.13 percent in 2024, according to the Bank of the Lao PDR...

Laos to Export Electricity to Singapore Under Regional Power Agreement

Laos has taken another step toward expanding regional electricity exports after a new agreement cleared the way for Lao-generated power to be transmitted to...

Asia Development Bank Backs Urban Planning for Resilient and Sustainable Cities in Laos

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 700,000 grant to support feasibility studies and project preparation for more resilient and sustainable urban...

Former Ban Keun Zoo Reopens as Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Near Nam Pien Yorlapa

The former Ban Keun Zoo in Vientiane is set to begin a new chapter as a wildlife rehabilitation centre, with operations relocating near the...

Nam Mo 2 Reservoir in Xieng Khouang Impounded, Final Construction Phase Underway

The Nam Mo 2 Hydropower Project in Xieng Khouang Province successfully impounded its reservoir on 10 January, marking a major milestone as the project...