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...

Lao President Calls for New Generation of Lao Diplomats on 80th Diplomacy Day

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith has called for the rise of a new generation of Lao diplomats, urging them to become strategic and trusted advisers...

ADB Lowers Laos’ 2025 Growth Forecast to 3.7 Percent Amid Economic Challenges

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered Laos’ 2025 GDP growth forecast from 3.9 percent to 3.7 percent, citing debt vulnerabilities, weak demand, and...

Young Barista Crowned at First International Coffee, Tea Day in Luang Prabang, to Compete in South Korea

From 3 to 5 October, Luang Prabang hosted the International Coffee and Tea Day (ICTD) 2025, the first-ever joint celebration of International Coffee Day...

Vientiane’s ‘Girls Takeover’ Wraps Up, Giving Young Women a Real-World Leadership Experience

Plan International Laos - A youth leadership initiative involving ten adolescent girls and young women has concluded in Vientiane, giving participants the opportunity to...

Cross-Border Wind Power Project in Laos to Begin Supplying Vietnam by End of 2025

A major wind power project backed by Vietnamese investment in Laos’ Bolikhamxay Province is now 80 percent complete and is expected to begin full...

East Asia, Pacific Face Slower Growth Without Job-Focused Reforms

World Bank Laos - East Asia and the Pacific continue to grow faster than most parts of the world, but countries need stronger reforms...