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...

Vietnam Seeks US Tariff Delay as Economic Growth Slows in First Quarter

By Lam NGUYEN/AFP - Vietnam has asked for a last-minute delay to colossal tariffs imposed by Washington as government figures showed on 6 April...

Bus-Rapid-Transit Road Rushing to be Completed Before Lao New Year

Vientiane is committed to completing the construction of the Setthathirath Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) road just before the Lao New Year, according to Bounyavat...

Bank of Laos Reduces Transfer Fees on Foreign Currency Deposit Accounts

On 3 April, the Bank of Laos (BOL) made a new announcement, mandating that transfers between foreign currency deposit account holders will incur a...

Laos Sets Ambitious Targets for Energy, Mining Sector

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has outlined a vision for the energy and mining sector, aiming to increase its contribution to 25 percent of...

Lao Business Forum Highlights Progress, Challenges, Path Forward for Private Sector Development

At the 16th Lao Business Forum, held at the Don Chan Palace in Vientiane on 3 April, government officials, foreign diplomats, business leaders, and...

ASEAN Unveils Guidelines for Agroecology Transitions

Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in collaboration with key international partners, have officially launched the ASEAN Guidelines for Agroecology...