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...

New Plant Opens as Vientiane Villages Go Weeks Without Water

Tap water has not been running for over a month in Khamngoy village, Vientiane’s Xaysettha district, residents noticed. But that’s not the only affected area.  “The...

Savannakhet Urges Simple Pi Mai Lao Celebrations Amid Budget Concerns

Savannakhet authorities are urging simple and responsible Pi Mai Lao celebrations this year, warning against unnecessary spending as economic pressure continues. In a notice issued...

Sekong Breaks Ground on New Hospital Funded by Vietnam’s Da Nang

Sekong Province in southern Laos began construction of a new hospital on 1 April, funded by the authorities of Da Nang City, Vietnam, in...

Laos Puts Youth at the Center of UXO Awareness Efforts

Laos is increasing efforts to involve young people in tackling unexploded ordnance (UXO), placing youth at the center of awareness and long-term risk reduction. A...

Thailand Expands Support to Laos with 30 Scholarships

Thailand will provide 30 master’s degree scholarships each year to Lao students, as both countries step up education cooperation under a new agreement.  Officials announced...

Laos-China Railway Raises Fares Across All Routes Starting 1 April

Ticket prices on the Laos-China Railway (LCR) have increased across all routes, according to updated fares published on the LCR Ticket application on 1...