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...

Laos Approves Cost-Cutting Road Policy to Boost Infrastructure

The National Assembly has approved a new policy aimed at promoting road construction and repair across the country, as proposed by the Minister of...

Laos Commits LAK 215 Billion to Strengthen Education and Keep Students in School

The Lao government has allocated over LAK 215 billion (approximately USD 9.97 million) to strengthen the country’s education sector, with a focus on increasing...

EssilorLuxottica Expands in Laos with New High-Capacity Lens Facility

EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, production, and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, optical equipment, and eyewear, including both prescription and sunwear, has strengthened...

LOCA Launches Green Bond to Boost EV Use in Laos

LOCA, the Lao-grown ride-hailing and electric mobility startup, has announced the extension of its current fundraising round through the issuance of a USD 2.5...

Salavan Opens First Drug Rehabilitation Center to Combat Substance Abuse

Salavan Province inaugurated its first dedicated drug rehabilitation center on 10 June, marking a significant step in tackling substance abuse and supporting the recovery...

Laos Sees 1.2 Million Tourist Arrivals in Q1 2025, Up 28 Percent from Previous Year

Laos welcomed over 1.2 million tourists in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 28 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024,...