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 Launches Nationwide Blood Drive Amid Persistent Shortages

As World Blood Donor Day approaches on 14 June, Laos is taking urgent action to address its ongoing struggle with blood shortages through a...

Bokeo Launches Task Force and Watchtower Amid Surge in Methamphetamine Seizures

Bokeo Province has intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking and related crimes with the launch of a special task force and the completion of...

Laos Improves in Corruption Index but Still Ranks Among Southeast Asia’s Lowest

Laos has made noticeable progress in the fight against corruption, improving its score by five points in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released...

Laos Shakes Up Cabinet in Sweeping Reform, Names New Central Bank Chief

Laos has carried out a sweeping government reshuffle, replacing or reassigning nine ministers along with the governor of the central bank.  The move follows a...

Eight Companies Vie to Renovate Luang Prabang International Airport

On 3 June, seven international and one local company submitted preliminary qualification documents for the Luang Prabang International Airport Improvement and Development Project, a...

Vocational, Language Education to Grow Under New National Cooperation

A new partnership is set to expand access to education and training for young students across Laos, especially those from ethnic communities. The Research and...