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...

Nam Theun 2 Development Fund Expands to Benefit More Districts

The Nam Theun 2 Development Fund (NT2DF) is set to expand its reach beyond Nakai’s resettled villages, bringing the transformative projects to the entire...

Monsoon Wind Power Project in Laos to Start Ahead of Schedule

The 600 MW Monsoon wind power project in Laos is set to start trial operations in late December, two months earlier than the initially...

MAG Receives Funding to Expand UXO Clearance in Khammouane, Laos

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) has secured over USD 800,000 from the Freeman Foundation and Restoration Laos to fund UXO clearance and explosive ordnance...

First Cold-Chain Train Connects Yunnan with Vientiane

China has introduced its first refrigerated freight train service from Yunnan Province to Laos via the Lao-China Railway, marking a significant step in enhancing...

Laos Boosts Modern, Traditional Medicine Management to Improve Public Health

The Lao Ministry of Health has introduced a set of measures aimed at improving the management of both modern and traditional medicines in a...

Laos Advances Disability Rights with New Driving License Agreement

Laos is continuing to strengthen its commitment to improving the lives of its disabled citizens. Recent developments include the publication of a new agreement...