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...

Laos to Increase Minimum Wage for Workers in October

The Lao Prime Minister's Office has approved raising the minimum monthly wage in the country from LAK 1,300,000 (USD 67) to LAK 1,600,000 (USD...

Skyrocketing Vegetable Prices Highlight Cost of Living Crisis in Laos

A social media post about the rising prices of basic vegetables in Laos went viral on Monday, calling attention to a real cost of...

Installation of Turbines Begins in Laos for SE Asia’s Largest Wind Power Project

The Monsoon Wind Power Project in Laos has begun installing wind power turbines after the turbines and blades were delivered from Thailand on Saturday....

Laos, Philippines Discuss Direct Flights to Boost Trade, Investment, Tourism

Foreign Ministers of Laos and the Philippines discussed the possibility of starting direct flights between the two countries to boost trade, investment, and tourism...

South Korea to Employ 2,000 Lao Workers in Industrial, Agriculture and Fisheries Sector

South Korea has requested the Lao government to send 2,000 workers from the country to be employed in the industrial, agriculture, and fisheries sector,...

Amata City Lao Receives THB 150 Million Loan to Develop Smart City in Northern Laos

Amata City Lao Company, a subsidiary of the Thai Real Estate company AMATA Group in Laos, secured THB 150 million (about USD 4.2 million)...