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...

Southeast Asian Leaders Meet to Talk Tariffs, Truce, East Timor

AFP, Isabelle LEONG and Jan HENNOP - Southeast Asian leaders meet Monday for their first summit since Donald Trump's tariff policies upended global economic...

Laos, Thailand Partner to Boost Buddhist Education for Monks

Laos and Thailand have signed a new agreement to enhance Buddhist education for Lao monks through scholarships, academic exchanges, and institutional support. On 21 May,...

Vientiane Discusses Restoration Plan of Historic Black Stupa

The iconic That Dam, or Black Stupa, one of Vientiane’s most culturally significant landmarks, is set to undergo a major restoration as part of...

Laos Nears Launch Southeast Asia’s Largest Wind Farm

Laos is set to launch its first wind farm, and the largest in Southeast Asia, by the end of the year, with all 133...

Bolikhamxay Inmates to Get Job Training Through China-Laos Deal

The Bolikhamxay Provincial Public Security Headquarters has entered into a 25-year agreement with a Chinese mining company to provide vocational training for prisoners. This...

Thailand Falls Behind in Sustainable Tourism as Laos Wins Global Praise

Thailand is falling behind in the race for sustainable tourism, industry leaders warned at the Thailand Tourism Forum 2025, held on 7 May in...