Economy

Laos Cuts 7-Day Base Interest Rate to 7% as Economic Risks Persist

The Bank of Laos (BOL) has cut its seven-day base interest rate from 8 percent to 7 percent a year as inflation remains below the government’s 8 percent target. The Monetary Policy Committee approved the cut at its meeting on 20 August, where it reviewed monetary policy, economic conditions, fuel...

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...

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 to Inspect Hydropower Projects to Ensure Dam Safety

The Government of Laos has set up a committee of local and foreign experts to undertake dam safety inspections as part of plans to...

Laos Sees 76% Increase in Banana Export Value in 2019

A surge in production has seen Laos increase the export value of bananas by 76 percent. The export value of bananas to neighboring countries, mainly...

Laos to Clear 10,000 Hectares of UXO in 2020

The Lao National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the UXO and mine clearance sector has set a target this week to clear and destroy unexploded...

Laos to Experience Electricity Shortage During Hot Season

Electricity generation will not be sufficient to supply all areas in Laos during times of peak consumption from March to June, according to authorities,...

Laos Suffers Trade Deficit of USD 137m in 2019

Laos recorded a trade deficit of USD 137 million in 2019, although the country exported more than its yearly plan. The value of exports last...

Laos Sees 145% Energy Export Growth between 2016-2020

Laos has increased its electricity exports by 145 percent over the past five years amid a growing number of hydropower plants. The country expanded electricity...