Economy

Laos Links South Korea Work Visas to Overstay Rates as Program Expands

Laos will suspend access to South Korea’s seasonal work program for 3 years if the nationwide overstay rate reaches 70 percent, under new rules introduced as the country expands overseas job opportunities. A provincial overstay rate above 20 percent will trigger a one-year suspension of visa issuance for Bolikhamxay Province,...

Laos Bans Money Bouquets, Crafts Made From Kip Banknotes

Laos has banned the production, sale, and advertising of crafts made from kip banknotes,...

Laos Targets Faster Border Checks in USD 5 Million Trade Project

Laos is preparing local businesses for higher costs when selling goods abroad, as the...

Thailand’s AIS Plans USD 43.35 Million Investment in Lao Telecom

Thailand’s mobile operator AIS plans to invest USD 43.35 million in Lao Telecom, one...

More Lao Citizens Live Abroad as Foreign Population Nearly Doubles

The number of foreign nationals living in Laos has nearly doubled over the past...

Laos-China Railway Awaits Landmine Clearance

Construction of the Laos-China railway in Luang Namtha province has yet to commence as some UXO clearance activities need to be completed before the...

Skilled Labour Needed for Development Zones

A large quality of skilled labour remains in high demand for development zones across the country, especially the Saysettha Development Zone in Vientiane, according...

Central Bank Permits Importers to Borrow in Foreign Currency

The Bank of the Lao PDR has permitted commercial banks to release loans in foreign currency to importers, including those who currently have no...

China Funds Poverty Reduction in Laos

The Chinese government has agreed to provide grant funding of over 34 billion kip (over 33 million Yuan) to address poverty reduction in Laos,...

Luang Prabang Handicrafts Festival Attracts more Visitors

Luang Prabang Handicrafts Festival has attracted more than 3,000 local and foreign visitors since the event began on December 4. The weeklong festival is being...

Dry Season Rice Plan Under Consideration

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is considering whether the figure for this year's dry season rice plan should be revised downwards or remain...