Socio-Economic Development

Laos Inflation Reaches 7.7% in August, Remains Above Target

Laos’ inflation rate reached 7.7 percent in August, a slight increase from 7.6 percent in July, while average inflation for the first eight months of the year stood at 7.9 percent. Housing, water supply, electricity and cooking fuel recorded the largest increase, rising 30.2 percent from the same period last...

Laos Tightens Foreign Borrowing Rules as Debt Risks Persist

Laos has tightened controls on foreign borrowing as the government seeks to limit debt...

Laos Economy Grows 5% in Year’s First Half, Government Holds to 6% Target

Laos’ economy expanded 5 percent in the first half of 2026, helped by a...

Laos Moves to Update Electricity Law for Energy Sector Shift

Laos is moving to update its electricity sector as the government prepares to adopt...

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...

Mobile Phones Fuel Surge in Savings: What the Global Trend Means for Laos

More adults than ever in low- and middle-income countries now have bank or other financial accounts, leading to a rise in formal saving, according...

Laos Makes Steady Progress in Poverty Eradication, Several Districts Declared Poverty-Free

Laos continues to make significant strides in poverty eradication, with multiple districts across the country being officially declared poverty-free, bringing the nation closer to...

Thailand Postpones Tourism Tax Again, Now Unlikely Before 2026

Thailand’s long-anticipated “Tourism tax,” often referred to as the “land entry tax,” has been delayed once again, with officials now targeting the second or...

Laos Launches New Training Program to Empower Underprivileged Lao Youth

Underprivileged Lao youths are set to receive skills training and job preparation through a newly launched initiative designed to improve living conditions and close...

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...