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...

A New Deal for the Mekong

By Anoulak Kittikhoun - Imagine the Mighty Mekong Basin not as a source of friction among riparian countries but as a platform of joint...

Laos Launches National Heart Care Program to Strengthen Pediatric Health Services

Laos has introduced a nationwide program aimed at improving the detection and treatment of congenital heart disease among children, marking one of the country’s...

Laos Sets Timeline for LDC Graduation, Begins Work on Readiness Assessment

Laos is moving ahead with preparations for its expected graduation from Least Developed Country status, with authorities targeting a transition period spanning 2026 to...

Laos–Vietnam Railway Construction to Begin in 2026, Operations Targeted for 2030

Construction of the first railway linking Laos and Vietnam is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the line expected to become operational by 2030,...

Laos to Establish Ore Inspection Offices to Boost State Revenue

The Lao government has signed an agreement to establish ore inspection offices at seven key border checkpoints, aiming to strengthen quality control of mineral...

i-Clean Recliners, Sofas Debut in Vientiane

La-Z-Boy, the renowned US furniture brand, has launched its latest innovation in Vientiane: the i-Clean fabric recliners and sofas. Specifically designed for households with...