Socio-Economic Development

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 first seven months of 2026, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.  The ministry shared the figures during a labor migration meeting in Vientiane on 22 September. Employment Department Director General Anousone Khamsingsavath said...

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 Tightens Foreign Borrowing Rules as Debt Risks Persist

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

Lao, China Bilateral Trade Increases to USD 8.23 Billion in 2024, Marking Significant Growth

In 2024, Laos and China achieved a significant milestone in trade, with a total value of USD 8.23 billion, marking a 15.91 percent increase...

Lao Deputy Calls for Climate, Trade Cooperation

Laos’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maithong Thammavongsa reaffirmed Laos’ commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and accelerating climate action at the 81st session of...

Luang Prabang Surges Past Tourism Goals with Over 1.1 Million Visitors, Fueling Economic Growth

Luang Prabang experienced a tourism boom in the first quarter of the year, generating USD 584,665,369 million in revenue, marking a 162 percent increase...

Boeing Jet Bound for China Sent Back to United States Amid Tariff Tensions

A Boeing jet originally built for China’s Xiamen Airlines flew back to the United States (US) on 20 April, caught in the crossfire of...

ASEAN Economic Ministers Say No to Retaliation in Response to US Tariffs

Ministries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed "deep concern" over unilateral tariffs introduced by the United States.  The statement, adopted during their...

Asian Development Bank Predicts 3.9 Percent Economic Growth for Laos in 2025

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) officially launched the Asian Development Outlook April 2025 at the ADB’s Lao Resident Mission (LRM) office in Vientiane. According to...