Economy

Laos Attracts USD 8.5 Billion in Investment Projects in First Seven Months of 2026

Laos attracted over USD 8.5 billion in investment approvals during the first seven months of 2026, with officials greenlighting 34 projects in concessionary businesses and controlled business lists. The figures mark a 68 percent increase over the same period last year, and actual capital inflow from these projects has already...

Laos State Utility Revenue Grows 9.4 Percent in First Half of 2026

Electricité du Laos (EDL), the state-owned power utility, grew its revenue by 9.4 percent...

Laos Considers VAT Exemption to Subsidize Electricity for Low-Income Households

Laos’ National Assembly (NA) is considering a proposal to exempt subsidized residential electricity from...

Oudomxay Seeks More Railway Services to Boost Investment

Authorities in Oudomxay Province, northern Laos, have announced plans to expand railway services and...

Vientiane Halts New Microfinance, Pawnshop Licenses Amid Regulatory Review

On 31 July, the Bank of the Lao PDR (BoL) suspended applications for new...

Laos Records Trade of Over USD 1 Billion in May

The country saw two-way trade of USD 1.086 billion in May, with gold bullion and gold bars being the most exported items, according to...

Vietnam’s Economy Slows Amid Global Headwinds, Experts Predict Rebound

Vietnam's economy is confronting obstacles such as a slowdown in industrial production and declining exports due to weak external demand, as highlighted by the...

Lao Students Gain Technological Insights While Traveling on Laos-China Railway

Lao students from Chomphet secondary school in Vientiane had the opportunity to learn more about the Lane Xang electric multiple units (EMU) trains on...

BOL Gives More Flexibility to Commercial Banks on Foreign Currency Exchange

The Bank of Laos has issued a notice to provide better flexibility in foreign currency exchange rates to commercial banks as the LAK’s value...

Laos Sees Fourth Consecutive Fuel Price Hike in June Amid Inflation and LAK Depreciation

Laos experienced its fourth consecutive fuel price hike in June due to inflation, the depreciation of the Laotian Kip (LAK), and the war in...

Lao President Visits Communist Party Secretary in Chongqing, China

Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, President of Laos, visited Mr. Yuan Jiajun, Communist Party Secretary of Chongqing, on Monday. During his visit, the Lao president praised Chongqing's...