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...

Japan Supports School Improvements in Bokeo to Reduce Dropout Rates

The Government of Japan has awarded a grant of USD 107,000 to improve schools in Bokeo Province, Laos, with the goal of reducing student...

Vientiane Special Economic Zones Attract Over USD 622 Million in Investment in First Nine Months of 2024

During the first nine months of 2024, Vientiane’s five special economic zones (SEZs) attracted investments from 39 new domestic and foreign companies, totaling USD...

Food From Russia Feeds School Children in Flood-Impacted Areas

Russian Ambassador Vladimir Kalinin handed over 47 metric tons of cooking oil to the Ministry of Education and Sports at the United Nations World...

Laos, China Collaborate on Traditional Medicine, Cancer Treatment

Laos and China have deepened their cooperation in traditional medicine, focusing on medical plant cultivation, research, and innovative treatments to enhance healthcare services in...

Vang Vieng to Undergo Major Urban Renewal with ADB Grant

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided USD 1.8 million to support an urban renewal project in Vang Vieng, aiming to transform the popular...

Laos Reports Progress in Poverty Reduction Efforts

Recent data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry highlights significant strides in poverty alleviation across Laos, although challenges remain as the country aims...