Economy

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 29.6 million) in customs revenue in the first half of 2026, exceeding its full-year target as mining debt repayments and stronger trade activity boosted collections. According to Naphao Customs Head Souphat Sousengtay, the checkpoint received a...

Laos Inflation Edges Up in July, Electricity Prices Surge 91.5% Year-on-Year

Electricity prices jumped 91.5 percent in July compared to the same month last year,...

Laos Eyes State Fuel Stations as Future EV Charging Hubs

Laos is exploring plans to turn state-owned fuel stations into electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging...

Online Sellers Face Renewed Enforcement of Business Registration Rules

Online sellers in Vientiane must register as businesses and obtain an e-commerce licence or...

Former MRC Chief Anoulak Kittikhoun Named First Lao Head of Mekong Institute

Former Mekong River Commission (MRC) Chief Executive Officer Anoulak Kittikhoun has been appointed Executive...

Saddle Dam Rebuilt at Xe Pian Xe Namnoy Hydropower Project

The Xe Pian Xe Namnoy hydropower project in Attapeu province has reconstructed a saddle dam at the reservoir following a fatal collapse two years...

Sanakham Dam Impact Assessment Should be Broadened with Up-To-Date Information

The Sanakham hydropower project developer and the Lao government should widen the project’s impact assessment and propose additional measures to mitigate potential adverse impacts...

Rich Resources Remain Available to Laos Mining Sector

Mineral and mining projects in Laos cover a land area of over seven million hectares throughout the country or over 30 percent of the...

Vang Vieng Sees Over One Million Visitors in Five Years

Authorities reported that over one million people have visited Vang Vieng over the last five years, including over 700,000 foreign tourists. According to a report...

Vehicles Under 350cc Prohibited from Expressway Use

Vehicles with engine capacity under 350cc will not be permitted on the Vientiane to Vang Vieng Expressway, according to a new report. Vientiane Times reports...

Laos Among 15 Nations to Sign RCEP, World’s Biggest Trade Pact

Laos, China, and thirteen other countries have agreed to establish the RCEP, the largest free-trade bloc in the world, comprising nearly a third of...