Socio-Economic Development

Vientiane Completes New 9.3-Kilometer Mekong Embankment

On 1 July, Vientiane officially opened a new 9.3-kilometer stretch of Mekong riverfront featuring parks, walking and cycling paths, sports facilities, and flood protection infrastructure following the completion of Phase II of the Mekong River Integrated Management Project. The new embankment extends from Wat Nak village in Sisattanak District to...

Laos Raises Tax-Free Income Threshold Under New Personal Income Tax Rules

Laos has officially raised the monthly income exempt from personal income tax from LAK...

Laos Reports Economic Growth as Inflation Slows to 7.4 Percent in June

Laos recorded 5 percent economic growth in the first half of 2026, while inflation...

Laos Restores Higher Fuel Excise Taxes as Emergency Relief Measures End

On 24 June, Laos reinstated higher excise taxes on fuel, restoring regular gasoline tax...

Japan Approves USD 2.3 Million Scholarship Grant for Lao Civil Servants

Japan has approved JPY 378 million (USD 2.3 million) in scholarship funding to support...

EssilorLuxottica Expands in Laos with New High-Capacity Lens Facility

EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, production, and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, optical equipment, and eyewear, including both prescription and sunwear, has strengthened...

Laos Targets Five Percent Annual Growth by 2030 Amid Economic Reforms

The Lao government has unveiled an ambitious strategy aimed at boosting national growth and modernising key sectors as Laos continues to recover from years...

Fake Facebook News Pages in Laos Mimic Real Media to Lure Victims in Online Scams

At first glance, everything looks real, the familiar logo, the breaking news post, the comments from local readers. But behind the page isn’t a...

Vientiane, Kunming Hospitals Partner to Boost Cardiac Care in Laos

On 26 May, Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane Capital renewed its partnership with Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming, China, to enhance cardiac care in Laos. The...

Laos Economy Shows Signs of Recovery Amid Fiscal Pressures

Laos’ economy is showing signs of recovery amidst a debt repayment peak, persistent inflation, and structural challenges, the World Bank warns in its latest...

Laos, Malaysia Open New Rail-Sea Trade Corridor

Laos and Malaysia have launched a new trade corridor to improve regional logistics and strengthen economic ties, providing a direct route from Laos to...