Economy

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-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...

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 Border Checkpoints Report Strong Revenue Growth in First Half of 2026, Exceed Targets

Laos’ international border checkpoints collected strong state budget revenue in the first half of...

European Union Sanctions Lao Bank JDB Over Alleged Russia Ties

The European Union has sanctioned the Lao-based Joint Development Bank (JDB), marking the first time the bloc has targeted a Lao financial institution as...

Laos Halts Fossil Fuel Vehicle Imports, Sets Price Controls for Electric Cars

The Lao government has announced the suspension of imports of most fossil fuel-powered vehicles until the end of 2026 and imposed strict price controls...

EDL to Purchase Rooftop Solar Electricity from Households

Electricité du Laos (EDL), the state power utility, announced a new nationwide policy to purchase electricity generated from residential rooftop solar systems, as part...

Laos Targets Nearly 10 Million Trees in Nationwide Reforestation Plan

Laos is stepping up nationwide reforestation efforts in 2026, with authorities across several provinces preparing to plant more than 10 million trees and restore...

Vietnam Breaks Ground on Expressway to Connect Vientiane

On 18 May, Vietnam began the construction of a 60-kilometer Expressway section in Nghe An Province connecting to the Laos border, in a long-planned...

Bank of Laos Maintains 7-Day Base Interest Rate at 8% Amid Rising Inflation

The Bank of Laos (BOL) confirmed it will maintain its 7-day base interest rate at 8 percent per annum following a half-day Monetary Policy...