Socio-Economic Development

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 for responsible business operations. The meeting, led by The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), brought together government, workers’ and employers’ representatives, business associations and enterprises to discuss...

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...

Laos Economy Grows 5% in Year’s First Half, Government Holds to 6% Target

Laos’ economy expanded 5 percent in the first half of 2026, helped by a...

Laos Moves to Update Electricity Law for Energy Sector Shift

Laos is moving to update its electricity sector as the government prepares to adopt...

Laos: Electricity Consumption Surges 45 Percent in Three Years

The electricity sector in Laos is facing significant challenges. According to a report from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, electricity consumption has surged...

High-Tech River Management: USAID, MRC Fund Remote Sensing for Mekong Basin

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has entered into a grant agreement with the Mekong River Commission (MRC), pledging up to USD...

Lao PM Highlights Drug Threat, Urges Unity on Anti-Drug Day

On the 37th anniversary of International Anti-Drug Day, 26 June, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone addressed the nation, reflecting on the country's efforts and...

Global Reading Crisis: 300 Million Children at Risk by 2030, Report Says

More than 300 million children, representing 37 percent of all young people worldwide, will fail to achieve basic reading proficiency by 2030 if immediate...

Laos, Vietnam to Launch Cross-Border QR Payment Service in August

Laos and Vietnam will launch a cross-border QR payment service to enhance tourism and economic exchanges between the two nations. The service is expected...

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...