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 to Approve More Than 300 New Mining Projects

Laos is considering the approval of 308 new mining investment projects across the country.  Deputy Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ms. Khamchanh Vongsenboun spoke during...

ADB: Laos Has Reformed Business Development, But More Needs To Be Done

Laos' regulatory environment for business development has improved, but more must be done to speed up the country's economic recovery. A new joint report by...

Feasibility Study Underway for Vientiane to Houaphanh Expressway

An expressway linking Vientiane Capital with Houaphanh Province is closer to reality after a feasibility study for the project was announced yesterday. A signing ceremony...

Laos Records USD 48 Million Trade Surplus in February

Laos posted a USD 48 million trade surplus in February 2022, with exports totaling USD 519 million and imports totaling USD 471 million. According to...

MRC Mekong Monitoring Stations Will Better Protect Downriver Denizens

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) on Friday unveiled the first water-level monitoring station to be positioned atop the Lower Mekong River Basin.  The station is...

Workers Struggle to Survive on Low Minimum Wage

The Lao Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU) has urged businesses to pay a higher minimum wage. Vientiane Times reports that garment factories, in particular, were...