Economy

Laos Moves to Update Electricity Law for Energy Sector Shift

Laos is moving to update its electricity sector as the government prepares to adopt a revised Electricity Law aimed at supporting a greener, more modern and sustainable energy system. The current Electricity Law, adopted in 2017, no longer fully reflects changes in how electricity is generated, traded and managed, according...

Laos Cuts 7-Day Base Interest Rate to 7% as Economic Risks Persist

The Bank of Laos (BOL) has cut its seven-day base interest rate from 8...

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...

Laos-China Railway Trade Surges as Cross-Border Freight Hits New Highs

Trade along the Laos-China Railway continued to grow sharply in the first half of...

Laos Identifies Two New Rare Earth Target Areas Across Four Provinces

Laos has completed field surveys and identified two major potential rare earth target areas...

Vietjet to Boost Aviation Infrastructure in Laos

Vietnamese airline Vietjet has signed an agreement to support Laos in advancing its aviation infrastructure.  The partnership, announced on 10 January, was overseen by Lao...

Electricity Exports Lead Laos’ Trade Revenue in 2024

In 2024, electricity exports continued to lead Laos’ export revenues, generating nearly USD 980 million and accounting for 15.35 percent of total exports, according...

Laos Steps Up Fight Against Wildlife Trafficking Amid Rising Demand

Authorities in Laos continue to intensify efforts against wildlife poaching and trafficking, with recent operations leading to the arrest of a suspect in Khammouane...

Laos, Vietnam Launch Cross-Border QR Code Payment System

On 9 January, Laos and Vietnam officially launched a cross-currency transaction service, connecting their cross-border retail payment systems via QR codes. This initiative, a collaboration...

Nearly Three Hundred Families Still Await Compensation for Lao-China Railway Project

Nearly 300 families affected by the Lao-China Railway project are still waiting for compensation promised by the government, as ongoing challenges hinder the process....

Xayaboury Produces 1.56 Million Tons of Cassava in 2024, Boosts Exports to Thailand

In 2024, farmers in four southern districts of Xayaboury Province cultivated nearly 54,000 hectares of cassava, producing approximately 1.56 million tons. With Thailand as...