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 Records Alarming Rate of HIV Infection Among Young People

A new report from UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, estimates that with 42 percent of HIV cases in Laos affecting people...

Lao PM Visits Vientiane Province to Encourage Tourism Development

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone visited Vientiane Province last Saturday with ministers and deputy ministers from relevant ministries and agencies to encourage local authorities to...

Lao Prime Minister Issues Order to Strengthen Forest Protection

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone issued an order last week to improve conservation efforts of forests in the country in response to concerns about...

Lao Govt Generates New Revenue Streams from Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency

Since the start of cryptocurrency mining in Laos last year, the government has generated nearly USD 27 million in revenue.  This was revealed by Prime...

MRC to Host Public Forum to Foster Openness, Participation and Cooperation

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) has opened registration for another milestone public forum, which will be highlighted by eagerly anticipated updates on topics such...

Laos, Malaysia Sign Deal for Cross-border Railway Operations

Kuala Lumpur (The Star): Malaysia and Laos have marked an important milestone in cross-border railway movement with a memorandum of collaboration signed between their...