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...

Vietnam’s Vingroup Eyes Multi-Million Dollar High-Speed Rail Project

AFP - Vietnam's biggest conglomerate, Vingroup, said Friday it had submitted a proposal to build the country's multi-billion-dollar high-speed railway from Hanoi to Ho...

Green and Smart Mobility Launches EV Platform, VinFast Car Sales in Laos

On 17 May, Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM), the operator of Xanh SM – Southeast Asia’s first all-electric ride-hailing service officially...

Ireland, WFP Back Climate-Resilient Farming for Women in Northern Laos

Press Release - The Ambassador of Ireland to Laos, Deirdre Ní Fhallúin, announced on 16 May Ireland’s funding of EUR 400,000 (approximately USD 432,000)...

Cassava Exports from Laos Surge as Railway Boosts Trade Efficiency

Cassava exports from Laos have grown significantly in early 2025, thanks to increased shipments along the Laos-China Railway.  In the first five months this year,...

Thai Energy Minister Visits Laos to Expand Cross-Border Electricity Trade Amid Corruption Probe

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, arrived in Laos today on an official visit aimed at deepening energy cooperation, even as...

Authorities Crack Down on Expired, Illegal Goods Across Multiple Provinces

Authorities in several provinces across Laos have recently destroyed significant quantities of expired, counterfeit, and illegal consumer goods in an effort to protect public...