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...

Laos, Singapore Partner to Launch Singapore International Institute for Enhanced Vocational Training

Laos has recently advanced vocational training and education by partnering with Singapore to create the Singapore International Institute. This new institute aims to expand...

Laos Celebrates National Handicraft Day, Honoring Heritage, Economic Impact

Laos commemorates its National Handicraft Day on 1 November, celebrating the nation’s rich heritage and the economic value of its traditional crafts. Established in...

Vientiane Province Boosts Tourism Goals with 1.3 Million Visitor Target by End of 2025

Vientiane Province is actively boosting tourism to position the industry as a key economic driver, with a goal to attract over 1.3 million visitors...

First Direct Export of New Energy Buses from Guizhou to Laos Begins via China-Laos Railway

CGTN - A train carrying 28 China-made new energy buses departed on 28 October from the Dulaying International Land-Sea Logistics Port in Guiyang, Guizhou...

Lao Government Plans Salary Hike, Sectoral Staffing Increase for 2024

During its monthly meeting on 24 October, the Lao government announced 2025 plans to raise civil servant salaries, expand staffing quotas across various sectors,...

Lao Durian Sector to Focus on Export Growth to China

On 24 October, government officials, agricultural experts, and representatives from the private sector gathered to discuss enhancing the Lao durian sector for export to...