Economy

Global Financial Bodies Warns of Slower Growth, Higher Inflation for Laos in 2026

Laos' economy is expected to continue expanding this year, even as slower growth and inflation present challenges, according to a global financial institution. In its latest outlook released on 9 July, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecast that Laos’ economic growth will ease this year while inflation surges, driven largely...

Railway Expansion, Education Reform Among Key Issues at National Assembly

Expanding the railway to southern Laos, rolling out a new school system, reducing poverty,...

Laos Collects USD 12 Million in Digital Taxes From Global Tech Companies

Laos has collected approximately USD 12 million in digital taxes from global technology companies...

Laos Agricultural, Forestry Exports Top USD 1 Billion in First Half of 2026

Laos earned more than USD 1 billion from agriculture and forestry exports in the...

Champasak Signs Deal for New 5-MW Solar Power Project

Authorities in Champasak signed a concession agreement on 3 July with a private company...

Bank of Laos Raises Interest Rate to 10% Amid Economic Challenges

The Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) has announced an increase in its interest rate for short-term loans from 8.5 percent to 10 percent...

Global Reading Crisis: 300 Million Children at Risk by 2030, Report Says

More than 300 million children, representing 37 percent of all young people worldwide, will fail to achieve basic reading proficiency by 2030 if immediate...

Crackdown on Corruption: Lao Officials Push for Severe Penalties

The government has lost significant sums of money to corruption, with the State Inspection Authority identifying development and investment projects, especially roads and bridges,...

Chinese Girl Sparks Debate After Entering Global Math Contest Finals

Jiang Ping, a 17-year-old student in China, has sparked debate on mathematics and education after she was shortlisted for the 2024 Alibaba Global Mathematics...

Laos, Vietnam to Launch Cross-Border QR Payment Service in August

Laos and Vietnam will launch a cross-border QR payment service to enhance tourism and economic exchanges between the two nations. The service is expected...

More Than 415,000 Lao Workers Abroad Affecting Domestic Labor Market

Over 415,000 Lao workers are currently employed abroad, exacerbating a labor shortage in the country, as highlighted by Baykham Khattiya, Minister of Labor and...