Economy

Laos Opens New Route for Businesses to Protect Product Designs Abroad

From 14 October, Lao designers and businesses will be able to protect the look of their products in multiple countries through a single application submitted to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), instead of filing separate applications in every country where they want protection. The change works both ways. Foreign...

Bear Paws, Pangolin Meat Seized in Vientiane Restaurant Raid Amid Laos’ Wider Crackdown

Lao authorities have stepped up their crackdown on illegal wildlife trade after raiding a...

Laos Formalizes Shanghai Cooperation Organization Dialogue Partner Status

Laos has strengthened its regional ties after formally confirming its status as a Dialogue...

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...

Railway Expansion, Education Reform Among Key Issues at National Assembly

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

New Thai Govt. Likely to Decriminalize Multi-Billion Dollar Sex Industry

Sex workers in Thailand are hopeful that the 14 May general election will see a new government come to power that will help decriminalize...

Laos Urges ASEAN to Tackle Issues of Poverty Alleviation and Food Security in Region

The Lao Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism has urged ASEAN members to help the region tackle poverty and food security, during the 29th...

Central Bank of Laos Puts Mechanisms in Place to Control Inflation

The Bank of the Lao PDR has implemented various measures to manage high rates of inflation in the country, including increasing interest rates and...

Laos Records Trade Deficit of USD 17 Million in April

The country's trade deficit for April clocked in at USD 17 million, which was the lowest figure since January. The overall value of trade in...

Construction Begins in Laos on Largest Wind Power Plant in South East Asia

Construction work has begun on a major wind power plant project in Laos following the signing of a loan agreement of close to USD...

Laos Exports 3 Million Tons of Agricultural Products in First Quarter of 2023

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Laos has exported over three million tons of agricultural products in the first three months of 2023. Bounchan...