Economy

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 Zone (SEZ) in Luang Namtha as Laos seeks to expand the border area as a trade and investment hub. Laos began developing the Boten SEZ in 2012 to attract investment in finance, trade, industry, transport and...

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 Border Checkpoints Report Strong Revenue Growth in First Half of 2026, Exceed Targets

Laos’ international border checkpoints collected strong state budget revenue in the first half of...

Laos to Require Online Businesses to Register Under New E-Commerce Rules, Starting Next February

On 17 December, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) issued a nationwide directive requiring individuals and companies operating online businesses in Laos to...

Attapeu Reports Major Poverty Reduction, 29,289 Families Lifted

Attapeu Province has lifted 29,289 families out of poverty, according to Chairman of the Attapeu Provincial Administrative Committee Tanuxay Chandanalith, who presented the update...

Fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Officially Opens, Strengthening Regional Connectivity

The Fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, connecting Bolikhamxay Province in Laos with Bueng Kan Province in Thailand, officially inaugurated on 25 December,with public use beginning...

Laos Provides USD 1.93 Million to Boost Sustainable Rice, Vegetable Farming

On 24 December, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment provided USD 1.93 million in funds and support to 85 small-scale rice and vegetable production...

Luang Namtha Welcomes Nearly 1.3 Million Tourists in 2025, Surpassing Expectations

Luang Namtha Province has marked a successful year for tourism in 2025, welcoming a total of 1,290,192 visitors both international and domestic, an increase...

Asian Development Bank Approves Funds for Forestry Restoration Project in Laos

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD 10 million in funding for the Responsible Forestry Project Phase I in Laos. The package includes...