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...

Government Officials Undergo Water Rescue Training as Rainy Season Starts

From 30 June to 2 July, officials from key government agencies in Laos, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of...

Laos Proposes Tax Relief for Small Businesses Under Revised Income Tax Law

On 24 June, Laos proposed amending the Income Tax Law to exempt unprofitable small businesses from taxes, aiming to ease their burden and improve...

Laos, South Korea Launch Medical University Project in Vientiane

Laos is establishing the first infrastructure for the University of Health Sciences (UHS) in Vientiane Capital, aiming to advance the medical sector through human...

Laos Clarifies LAK 3,000 Telecom Fee After Viral Video Sparks Public Doubt

A government official has clarified the purpose of the LAK 3,000 (USD 0.14) monthly telecom "security fee" following public backlash sparked by a viral...

Lao Government Launches USD-70-Million Upgrade of National Road 13 South

The Lao government has launched a major infrastructure project to upgrade a key section of National Road 13 South, aiming to boost trade, regional...

Lao Government Launches Legal Pathway for Jobs in Korea’s Fishery Sector

Laos is set to deploy workers to South Korea’s fisheries sector for the first time under the E-10-2 visa program, a move aimed at...