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...

More Than 415,000 Lao Workers Abroad Affecting Domestic Labor Market

Over 415,000 Lao workers are currently employed abroad, exacerbating a labor shortage in the country, as highlighted by Baykham Khattiya, Minister of Labor and...

Laos Sees Fourth Month of Trade Deficit, Lao Kip Hits Record Low

Laos experienced four consecutive months of trade deficits from January to April this year. This situation has been exacerbated by rising inflation rates, leading...

Luang Namtha Boosts Tourism with New Attraction Study

Luang Namtha Province is actively enhancing its tourist sites to attract both foreign and national tourists. The province is particularly popular in winter, drawing...

Rural Laos Gets Lifeline with Second Phase of Nutrition Initiative

Laos has launched the second Reducing Rural Poverty and Malnutrition Project. Supported by the World Bank, this initiative aims to bring additional resources to...

Prime Minister Highlights Economic Growth Despite Challenges

Amidst ongoing economic difficulties, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone reported a 4.7 percent growth in the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first half...

Major Road Enhancements in Vientiane to Boost Traffic Safety, Flow

In preparation for the upcoming ASEAN meetings in the capital, many roads in Vientiane are undergoing significant upgrades to enhance driving conditions and safety....