Economy

Lao Scholar Draws on History to Explore What Makes a Country ‘Great’

In many Lao communities, temples are among the cleanest places around. People sweep the grounds, tend to the gardens, and take care of the buildings. There is a shared understanding that these places are sacred, belong to everyone, and that caring for them is a collective responsibility. But why doesn't...

Laos’s Credit Rating Upgraded After Bond Sale, Hong Kong Tax Pact

Laos has received a credit rating upgrade after issuing a USD 500 million international...

Laos Eyes 500MW Renewable Electricity Export to Singapore

Laos is eyeing a major expansion of its clean energy exports following a proposed...

Laos Orders Local Trade Offices to Stop Restricting Business Competition

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has ordered trade offices nationwide to stop imposing...

Laos Inflation Eases to 7.7 Percent as Electricity Costs Remain High

Laos’ inflation edged down to 7.7 percent in October from 7.8 percent in September,...

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...

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 cross-border economic links as Laos prepares to graduate from Least...

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 (VAT) on monthly consumption of up to 300 kilowatt-hours (kWh)...

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 Mekong Bridge, Thai authorities announced on 8 September through the...

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 one of its biggest economic drivers, tourism, took a major...

Thailand Warns Against Hiring Migrant Workers as Lao Workers Continue to Face Illegal Work, Trafficking Risks

Thailand has warned employers against hiring migrant workers without valid permits or assigning them to jobs outside their legal rights as economic pressures in...