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...

New Protection Centers Opened in Laos for Survivors of Violence

New centers for survivors of violence opened in Bolikhamxay and Champasack provinces. These two new "Counseling and Protection Centers for Women and Children" are...

Alarming Road Accident Statistics Prompt Stringent Measures for New Year Safety

As the year draws to a close, the country grapples with a somber reality. More than 800 lives were lost and nearly 1,000 people...

Landmark Partnership Propels Laos Towards Greener Future

The Central Bank of Laos (BOL) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) inked an agreement on 12 December to boost their partnership in promoting...

ADB Greenlights Dual Funding Initiatives for Sustainable Urban Development in Luang Prabang

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved two funding projects for the sustainable urban development of the Luang Prabang UNESCO World Heritage Site in...

Laos Joins Global Call for Action on Climate, Health Issues at COP28

Laos has joined 122 other countries in endorsing the Declaration on Climate and Health (COP28) at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference in the...

New Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Project to Be Completed by End of 2024

Construction is currently underway for the 5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Project, with an anticipated completion date set for the end of 2024, according to...