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...

Laos, China 500kV Link to Drive Clean Energy Growth and ASEAN Connectivity

On 26 February, Laos launched the Lao-China 500-kilovolt Interconnection Project with a ceremony in Vientiane Capital. This project is part of a broader effort...

Japan Aids Xieng Khouang with Clean Water Supply Grant

Xieng Khouang Province is set to improve access to clean water with support from the Japanese government, which has provided a grant of USD...

Laos Added to Financial Grey List as Concerns Grow

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has added Laos to its grey list due to concerns over financial crime enforcement, while the Philippines successfully...

Laos Lifts 31,000 Families from Poverty Amid Skepticism

By Kheuakham Chanlivong and Phontham Visapra Laos has lifted 31,232 families out of poverty, reaching 89.23 percent of its 2024 target. The progress was shared...

Largest Urban Rail Transit Project in Thailand Nears Completion

The double-track railway project between Lop Buri and Pak Nam Pho in Thailand is set to launch in mid-2025.  This major infrastructure project, part of...

Laos, Canada Strengthen Partnership Toward Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement

On 18 February, the Embassy of Canada to Laos hosted a workshop in Vientiane Capital on emerging issues in the Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement...