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...

Former Electricité du Laos Officials, Contractors Face Prosecution Over Corruption

A former Deputy Director of Electricite du Laos (EDL) and four contractors, including one foreign national, are facing prosecution for corruption and fraud involving...

Lao National Assembly Debates Major Constitutional Reforms: What’s at Stake

The Lao National Assembly is currently debating the 2025 Draft Constitution of Laos, which proposes a number of major changes to the country’s legal...

Vientiane Residents Demand Action Amid Ongoing Water Shortages

Many households in Vientiane are struggling with water supply issues, including shortages and low water pressure. Residents are growing increasingly frustrated, as water disruptions...

Laos Tackles Bureaucratic Bloat with Major Government Overhaul

As Laos continues to grow and change, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party has recognized that its government structure isn't keeping pace with the country's...

Laos Prepares for 2025 Digital Census with Training Initiatives

On the top floor of the four-story Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB) building, located about 10 kilometers from Vientiane’s city center, a group of trainees...

Digital Growth in Laos with Internet Faster by 17.8 percent in Early 2025

The internet and social media landscape in Laos experienced significant growth in 2025, driven by faster internet speeds and increasing mobile phone adoption. According to...