Economy

Laos Economy Grows 5% in Year’s First Half, Government Holds to 6% Target

Laos’ economy expanded 5 percent in the first half of 2026, helped by a strong tourism season and growth in services, but slowed in the second quarter as the government works to meet its 6 percent target for the year. Growth reached 5.5 percent in the first quarter before easing...

Attapeu Looks to Job Support as School Dropouts Rise

Attapeu is expanding its employment services as the province seeks to respond to labor...

Laos Moves to Update Electricity Law for Energy Sector Shift

Laos is moving to update its electricity sector as the government prepares to adopt...

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...

French Research Institute Discusses Ecosystem Sustainability with Lao, French Partners in Luang Prabang

On 18 to 19 November, the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) held a meeting in Luang Prabang, Laos, with local and...

Education Ministry Reports School Dropout Rate Drops to 11.5 percent

During the 8th National Assembly session held from 21–24 November, Phout Simmalavong, Minister of Education and Sports, presented progress on the National Education System...

Lao Coffee: A Journey Through Flavor, Heritage

In Laos' Bolaven Plateau, Champasack Province, the air is often filled with the scent of freshly roasted coffee beans.  There, each cup of coffee reflects...

Laos Welcomes Over Five Million Tourists in 2024, Generating Over USD 1 Billion

Laos has recorded over five million tourists this year, exceeding expectations and generating more than USD 1 billion in revenue, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone...

Lao National Assembly Opens 8th Ordinary Session to Address Key National Challenges

The 9th-tenure National Assembly (NA) opened its 8th Ordinary Session on 18 November in Vientiane. Under the leadership of Xaysomphone Phomvihane, the assembly convened...

ASEAN Policy Forum Paves Way for Transformative Education Reforms

Laos hosted the ASEAN Policy Forum on Higher Education 2024 in Vientiane Capital from 11 to 12 November, bringing together representatives from ASEAN member...