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...

First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Marks 31st Anniversary

The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge marks its 31st anniversary on 8 April.  Opened in 1994, it was the first major land link between Laos and...

Vietnam Seeks US Tariff Delay as Economic Growth Slows in First Quarter

By Lam NGUYEN/AFP - Vietnam has asked for a last-minute delay to colossal tariffs imposed by Washington as government figures showed on 6 April...

Bus-Rapid-Transit Road Rushing to be Completed Before Lao New Year

Vientiane is committed to completing the construction of the Setthathirath Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) road just before the Lao New Year, according to Bounyavat...

Bank of Laos Reduces Transfer Fees on Foreign Currency Deposit Accounts

On 3 April, the Bank of Laos (BOL) made a new announcement, mandating that transfers between foreign currency deposit account holders will incur a...

Social Media Users Question Government Report Claiming Poverty Eradication in Vientiane

A recent government report claiming that 99.43 percent of families in Vientiane Capital have been lifted out of poverty has sparked widespread skepticism on...

Laos Sets Ambitious Targets for Energy, Mining Sector

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has outlined a vision for the energy and mining sector, aiming to increase its contribution to 25 percent of...