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...

Power Outages Hit Vientiane Over Three Days for EDL Infrastructure Works

The Electricité du Laos (EDL) has begun a three-day schedule of daytime power interruptions affecting multiple villages and public facilities in Vientiane Capital, running...

World Book Day Spotlight: The Lao Man Bridging Two Literary Worlds

Today is World Book and Copyright Day. And Laos has its own story to mark it. “The book reminds us that we are not alone...

Laos-China 500 kV Power Transmission Line Now Operational

Laos and China have put their new 500 kV cross-border power transmission line into operation. It went live on 20 April, following test runs after...

Laos Exports Hit USD 2.77 Billion in Early 2026 as Fuel Costs Weigh on Trade

Laos recorded total exports of USD 2.77 billion in the early 2026, maintaining steady trade activity despite a slight slowdown in March. Gold remained the...

Khammouane’s National Road No. 12 Upgrade Reaches 11 Percent Construction Progress

Khammouane Province is steadily advancing one of its most significant infrastructure investments, as the upgrading of National Road No. 12, from Thakhek to the...

Vientiane Expands BRT Network with New Setthathirath Road Route

On 20 April, Vientiane authorities launched a new Bus Rapid transit (BRT) route connecting Morning Market Station (Talat Sao) to Chao Fa Ngum Station...