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...

EU-ASEAN Relations Reach New Heights with New Development Projects in Laos, the Region

The longstanding partnership between Laos and the European Union (EU) reached new heights with the recent official visit of Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for...

Vientiane Residents Rush to Update Vehicle Registration Plates

In response to Vientian’s recent announcement regarding the city’s registration plates, changing vehicle number plates from Vientiane Municipality to Vientiane Capital, effective on 1...

International Women’s Day Reflects Progress, Challenges of Women’s Rights in Laos

As the world celebrates International Women's Day on 8 March, Lao women are voicing the progress made in women's rights amidst the ongoing struggle...

Laos-Australia Partnership Launched with Major Investment in Dengue Research

Australia has committed AUD 3 million (almost USD 2 million) in financial support this year to advance research combating dengue fever in Laos through...

Electricity Exports Propel Laos to Trade Surplus, Marking Record Growth

Laos has recorded a significant surge in its annual trade, reaching a total value of over USD 15.5 billion in 2023.  The figures, released by...

United States Provides Over USD 24 Million for UXO Clearance in Laos

The Government of the United States of America (US) has pledged a total of USD 24.2 million to the HALO Trust, a leading Unexploded...