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...

European Union-ASEAN Dialogue Explores Green Transition Opportunities, Challenges

European Union (EU)-ASEAN businesses and cooperation agencies discussed the opportunities and challenges of ASEAN’s green transition in the Partners’ Dialogue forum with the Delegation...

StarExpress Tourist Train Launches, Connecting Kunming to Laos

On 24 September, the StarExpress, a new cross-border tourist train, launched its inaugural journey from Kunming, China, to Luang Prabang and Vientiane, Laos.  This new...

Laos Faces Eighth Consecutive Month of Trade Deficit

Laos recorded a trade deficit of USD 129 million in August, marking the eighth straight month of trade deficits in 2024, according to data...

Salavan, Ubon Ratchathani Provinces Agree on Cross-Border Water Transport Deal

Laos’ Salavan Province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani Province have agreed to enhance cooperation on water transport, aiming to improve regional connectivity through key international...

Asian Development Bank Forecasts Economic Growth for Laos by Year-End Amid Challenges

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected that Laos will experience a growth rate of 4.0 percent in 2024, supported by investments in services...

Lao Producers Gear Up for Duty-Free Exports to UK Under New Trade Scheme

Lao food and drink producers are preparing to export their products tariff-free to the United Kingdom (UK) under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme...