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...

United States Sets Preliminary 22.46 Percent Duty on Lao Solar Imports

The United States has announced a new preliminary anti-dumping duty of 22.46 percent on solar products imported from Laos as part of an investigation...

Laos Inflation Rises to 10.2% in April as Fuel and Household Costs Climb

Laos continues to face pressure from inflation as the inflation rate stood at 10.2 percent in April, according to the Lao Statistics Bureau. The figure...

Laos-China Trade Nears USD 10 Billion as Ties Deepen

Laos and China marked 65 years of diplomatic relations this week, with both sides highlighting deepening economic ties, including more than USD 18 billion...

Lao Electricity Exports to Vietnam Hit Record High on Renewable Boom

Laos delivered a record volume of electricity to Vietnam in early 2026, as a wave of newly commissioned renewable projects and strong cross-border links...

New Nong Khai Bypass Opens, Cutting Travel Time for Thai-Lao Trade

On 23 April, Thailand inaugurated a 21.8-kilometer eastern bypass in Nong Khai Province, designed to alleviate traffic congestion in one of the busiest trade...

Laos Launches New Climate Project to Support Vulnerable Communities in Northern Laos

Laos has launched a new climate adaptation project in the north, targeting vulnerable groups including ethnic communities, women, youth, and people with disabilities across...