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...

Laos Signs Deal to Build Clean Energy Industrial Zone in Oudomxay

The Lao government signed an agreement to build a large clean energy and aluminum industrial zone in Oudomxay Province, adding to the growing list...

Pakse Launches Free Bus Service Amid Fuel Shortage

Authorities in Pakse have introduced a temporary free public bus service to help residents cope with ongoing fuel shortages and rising fuel prices affecting...

Vietnam Warns of Possible Flight Cuts Amid Jet Fuel Shortage

Travellers flying to and from Vietnam could face disruptions as early as next month, after the country’s aviation authority warned that jet fuel supplies...

Laos Moves to Stabilize Fuel Supply as Over 1,000 Stations Reported Closed

Lao Authorities are stepping up efforts to stabilize the country’s fuel supply after more than 1,000 fuel stations were reported closed nationwide, and many...

Laos Orders Civil Servants to Work From Home, Switch to Electric Vehicles Amid Fuel Crisis

Laos' Prime Minister has ordered government ministries to cut back on in-person meetings, introduce rotating work shifts, and begin transitioning state vehicles to electric. This...

Drinking Water Prices Rise in Vientiane from 18 March

The price of 18-liter bottled drinking water in Vientiane is going up from 18 March, with the Vientiane Capital Drinking Water Association announcing an...