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,...

Savannakhet Holds First Monkey Feeding Festival

Savannakhet welcomed international and regional tourists at its first-ever Monkey Feeding Festival which was held on March 24, in the province's Champhone District.  Alongside feeding...

Vientiane Authorities Clarify Reason Behind Sihom Night Market Shut Down

The famous night market in Vientiane, also known as Hengboun Food and Culture Street, has been closed by order of the Department of Industry...

Could Technology Solve the Problem of Illegal Parking in Vientiane? 

Pedestrians in Vientiane Capital are routinely forced to walk into oncoming traffic as they navigate around vehicles parked on the footpath. Despite hundreds of...

Authorities Order Closure of Vientiane’s Sihom Night Market

Authorities in Vientiane Capital ordered the immediate closure of the Sihom Night Market, also referred to as “Hengboun Food and Culture Street,” yesterday evening. Authorities...

Laos-China Railway to Start Cross-border Travel to China in April

Laos-China Railway will extend its passenger services on the international route to China - from Vientiane to Kunming and return - starting next month. Deputy...

Staff Shortage, High Production Costs Remain Key Obstacles To Lao Businesses

The Macroeconomics Research Institute (MRI) recently conducted a survey to identify the main obstacles businesses are facing in Laos. According to the survey results, the...