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...

Lao Students Receive 350 Scholarships to Study in China

The Embassy of China in Laos, on behalf of the Chinese Government, has awarded 350 scholarships to Lao students and civil servants to study...

ASEAN Ministers Meet in Vientiane Capital to Strengthen Cooperation on Environmental Issues

The ASEAN Ministerial Meetings on Environment Protection took place in Vientiane Capital on this week to further strengthen cooperation on environmental issues, including climate...

Laos Chairs ASEAN Meeting on Commitment to Tackling Transboundary Haze

Laos hosted an ASEAN ministerial meeting on Wednesday that saw environmental ministers come together to address the issue of transboundary haze. The 17th ASEAN Ministerial...

ADB to Finance USD 45 Million Package to Strengthen Health Care Services in Laos

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 45 million financing package to help strengthen quality health care in 16 districts across 10...

USAID and Ministry of Justice Release Videos to Promote Legal Aid Services in Laos

The Ministry of Justice has legal aid services available to protect the legal rights of vulnerable populations throughout Laos. However, most people at risk...

Laos, Cambodia Launch Cross-Border QR Code Payment System

The 13th multilateral meeting between the Bank of Laos and the National Bank of Cambodia was held in Vientiane Capital last Friday to discuss...