Economy

Vietnam-Backed Bauxite Project in Laos Moves Toward 2028 Production

A major bauxite project in southern Laos is moving closer to production, with Lao and Vietnamese officials now turning their attention to the environmental risks and community impacts of the operation. A workshop in Vientiane on 10 September brought together officials and project developers to discuss management, technical standards and...

China-Laos Railway Sees 50 Percent Rise In Cross-Border Passengers

Passenger traffic on the China–Laos Railway has increased significantly this year, boosting tourism and...

Laos Exempts Residential Electricity Use Up to 300 kWh from VAT

Residential electricity users in Laos will be exempt from the 10 percent Value-Added Tax...

Thailand Approves Loan for New Mekong Bridge in Luang Prabang

Thailand’s Cabinet approved financial assistance for the Lao government to construct the Xiengman-Luang Prabang...

Luang Prabang Economy Grows Despite Sharp Drop in Tourists

Luang Prabang’s economy grew 3.9 percent in the first half of 2026, even as...

The Rise, Fall and Possible Renewal of Boten

BOTEN, Laos — For five years, this remote town on the China-Laos border has lived in the shadow of more prosperous times. On the main street,...

Laos to Share Hydropower Development Expertise With Myanmar

A hydro-electric-powered energy revolution has been afoot in South-East Asia over recent years with the movement of fresh and fast-flowing waters increasingly fueling the...

Tough Times In the Laos Garment Industry

The Lao garment industry has been on the decline. The value of exports increased from US$87 million in 1995 to a peak of US$219...

China Gezhouba Group Signs Deal to Construct 35-MW Xelanong 2 Hydropower Project In Laos

The China Gezhouba Group Corp. has signed an agreement with the Laotian government to develop a 35 MW hydroelectric plant in Laos' southern Salavan...

Switzerland Extends Grant to MRC

The Swiss government has granted more than US$7 million to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to implement its overall brief, which covers areas such...

Finance Officials Asked to Identify Causes of Missing Revenue

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Somdy Douangdy has called on the Party Committee of the Ministry of Finance to identify the real...