Socio-Economic Development

Laos Economy Grows 4.8 percent in Nine Months, but Inflation, Tourism Lag

Laos’ economy grew 4.8 percent in the first nine months of 2026, Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith told lawmakers on 5 October, crediting manufacturing, private investment, electricity, trade and tourism-related services. Saleumxay delivered the figure on the opening day of the second ordinary session of the 10th National Assembly, which runs...

Lao Migrant Workers Send Home USD 500 Million in First Seven Months of 2026

Lao migrant workers sent an estimated USD 500.7 million back to Laos during the...

Thailand Approves Loan for New Mekong Bridge in Luang Prabang

Thailand’s Cabinet approved financial assistance for the Lao government to construct the Xiengman-Luang Prabang...

Business, Labor Experts Talk Responsible Business Standards as Laos Prepares for LDC Graduation

Business and labor experts met in Vientiane on 3 September to discuss standard guidelines...

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...

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 strong tourism season and growth in services, but slowed in...

Laos Moves to Update Electricity Law for Energy Sector Shift

Laos is moving to update its electricity sector as the government prepares to adopt a revised Electricity Law aimed at supporting a greener, more...

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...

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 2026, with imports and exports reaching CYN 17.17 billion (USD...

Laos Attracts USD 8.5 Billion in Investment Projects in First Seven Months of 2026

Laos attracted over USD 8.5 billion in investment approvals during the first seven months of 2026, with officials greenlighting 34 projects in concessionary businesses...

Laos State Utility Revenue Grows 9.4 Percent in First Half of 2026

Electricité du Laos (EDL), the state-owned power utility, grew its revenue by 9.4 percent in the first half of 2026 compared with the same...