Economy

African Swine Fever Disrupts Pork Supplies, Beef Prices Rise in Vientiane

The pork shortage is putting pressure on Vientiane’s meat markets as African swine fever (ASF) spreads across Laos and authorities restrict the movement of pigs and pork. State media have confirmed outbreaks in two districts and three villages in Vientiane Capital, including Sangthong district, where 115 pigs died across two...

Corruption Crackdown in Laos’s Attapeu Province Uncovers Millions in Financial Irregularities

Attapeu authorities have detailed five years of corruption investigations and financial irregularities, including a...

Lao Migrant Workers Send Home USD 500 Million in First Seven Months of 2026

Lao migrant workers sent an estimated USD 500.7 million back to Laos during the...

Vietnam Emerges as Laos’ Second-Largest Foreign Investor with USD 8 Billion in Projects

Vietnam has become Laos's second-largest foreign investor, with more than 400 projects worth a...

Laos, China Launch Digital Payment Link For Cross-Border Transactions

Laos and China have launched a new digital payment link that allows Chinese visitors...

Laos Exempts Residential Electricity Use Up to 300 kWh from VAT

Residential electricity users in Laos will be exempt from the 10 percent Value-Added Tax (VAT) on monthly consumption of up to 300 kilowatt-hours (kWh)...

Thailand Approves Loan for New Mekong Bridge in Luang Prabang

Thailand’s Cabinet approved financial assistance for the Lao government to construct the Xiengman-Luang Prabang Mekong Bridge, Thai authorities announced on 8 September through the...

Luang Prabang Economy Grows Despite Sharp Drop in Tourists

Luang Prabang’s economy grew 3.9 percent in the first half of 2026, even as one of its biggest economic drivers, tourism, took a major...

Thailand Warns Against Hiring Migrant Workers as Lao Workers Continue to Face Illegal Work, Trafficking Risks

Thailand has warned employers against hiring migrant workers without valid permits or assigning them to jobs outside their legal rights as economic pressures in...

Laos Bans Unregistered Cosmetics Resembling Popular Brands

The Food and Drug Department (FDD) has banned the import, sale, distribution, advertising, and use of five cosmetic brands after finding that they entered...

Business, Labor Experts Talk Responsible Business Standards as Laos Prepares for LDC Graduation

Business and labor experts met in Vientiane on 3 September to discuss standard guidelines for responsible business operations. The meeting, led by The Lao National...