Socio-Economic Development

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 in July, while average inflation for the first eight months of the year stood at 7.9 percent. Housing, water supply, electricity and cooking fuel recorded the largest increase, rising 30.2 percent from the same period last...

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 Cuts 7-Day Base Interest Rate to 7% as Economic Risks Persist

The Bank of Laos (BOL) has cut its seven-day base interest rate from 8...

Lao PM Highlights Key Measures to Address Economic Crisis in Cabinet Meeting

Following the drastic fall of the Lao kip to a record low against foreign currencies in September, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has urged immediate...

Thailand Expects Over THB 140 Billion From Chinese Visitor Visa Waiver

The Thai government expects to attract over 2.9 million visitors from China as part of the five-month visa exemption period. The tourists will bring...

MRC Moves Closer to Making “Mekong Fund” Reality

The governing body of the Mekong River Commission took a significant step this week towards creating a “Mekong Fund” for Southeast Asia’s largest waterway...

Laos Government Encourages Use of Electric Vehicles as Fuel Imports Decline

The government spent less on fuel imports in August than in the previous month, but officials say there is enough fuel to meet the...

Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam to Enhance Cooperation in Digital Economy

As ASEAN strives to achieve further integration of digital economies, Laos is trying to foster better cooperation with neighboring countries Vietnam and Cambodia on...

Laos Sees Launch of New Program to Boost Skills in Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry

The Government of Laos and Team Europe partners, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the European Union, gathered today in Vientiane Capital to launch the “Skills for...