Economy

Laos Inflation Rises to 7.8 Percent in September as Education, Utility Costs Climb

Laos’ inflation rate rose to 7.8 percent in September, up from 7.7 percent in August, with education, utility, and some seasonal costs contributing to the increase, according to the Ministry of Finance. The latest increase came as the new school year began, with education costs rising 18.8 percent from a...

African Swine Fever Disrupts Pork Supplies, Beef Prices Rise in Vientiane

The pork shortage is putting pressure on Vientiane’s meat markets as African swine fever...

Corruption Crackdown in Laos’s Attapeu Province Uncovers Millions in Financial Irregularities

Attapeu authorities have detailed five years of corruption investigations and financial irregularities, including a...

Lao Migrant Workers Send Home USD 500 Million in First Seven Months of 2026

Lao migrant workers sent an estimated USD 500.7 million back to Laos during the...

Vietnam Emerges as Laos’ Second-Largest Foreign Investor with USD 8 Billion in Projects

Vietnam has become Laos's second-largest foreign investor, with more than 400 projects worth a...

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...