Economy

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 Value-Added Tax (VAT) as the government looks for ways to ease living costs for low-income households. The Standing Committee raised the proposal during its monthly meeting on 6-7 August. According to the NA, the VAT exemption would...

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...

Lao State Fuel Enterprise Posts 70 Percent Profit Surge in 2025, Eyes Stock Market Listing

The Lao state-owned Lao State Fuel Company (LSFC) reported a sharp rise in profits...

Naphao Customs Exceeds Annual Target on Mining Debt Repayments, Trade Growth

Naphao International Border Checkpoint in Khammouane Province collected more than LAK 669.5 billion (USD...

Japan, Singapore Agree to Support Startups from SEA Nations

Japan and Singapore have decided to strengthen their cooperation to support startups in SEA nations as Tokyo seeks more partnerships with companies in the...

Lao Airlines to Operate Flights from Pakse to China Starting Mid-2023

This year, Lao Airlines will launch new routes from Pakse to major cities in China to attract more visitors from the country. The new...

Vientiane’s Feuang District Expects Over 100,000 Tourists in 2023

After seeing over 45,000 tourists since the country reopened its borders in May last year, Feuang district is expecting more than 100,000 tourists in...

Indonesia Welcomes Timor-Leste into ASEAN

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo of Indonesia welcomed Timor-Leste as a member of ASEAN to enhance greater cooperation between the neighboring countries this week. Taur Matan...

LWU and UNFPA Discuss Coordinated, Quality Response to Violence Against Women

Lao Women’s Union (LWU), in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), held a National Consultation in Vientiane Capital, which brought together key government,...

Almost 1.3 Million Tourists Visited Laos in 2022

Laos recorded close to 1.3 million tourists visiting the country between January and December last year. The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism reported...