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 Starts New Academic Year Amid Worsening Teacher Shortage

As schools across Laos reopened on 1 September for the new academic year, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone urged the public to embrace the new...

Laos Launches Commercial Operations of Southeast Asia’s Largest Wind Farm

Laos launched its first wind power project on 22 August.   The 600-megawatt Monsoon Wind Power Project is Southeast Asia’s largest onshore wind farm and Asia’s...

Lao Sets September Priorities to Strengthen Economy, Infrastructure

The Lao government has outlined its key priorities for September, focusing on stabilizing the economy, improving infrastructure, and maintaining national stability.  These decisions came during...

Vientiane Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Nears 90 Percent Completion

The Vientiane Wastewater Treatment Plant project has reached 89.57 percent overall completion, marking a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to address urban water...

Inflation Eases to Five Percent in August 2025

Inflation in Laos eased slightly in August 2025, with the annual rate recorded at five percent, down from 5.3 percent in July, according to...

Thailand Revokes Nearly 10,000 Student Visas Amid Crackdown on Misuse

Thai authorities have revoked visas and temporary stay permits for nearly 10,000 foreign students who failed to meet required criteria, targeting widespread misuse of...