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 Inflation Eases to 5.1 Percent in January 2026 as Utility Costs Drive Price Pressures

Laos recorded an inflation rate of 5.1 percent in January 2026, down from 5.6 percent in December 2025, as the country continues to grapple...

Laos, Vietnam Agree to Deepen Cooperation Across Seven Key Sectors

Laos and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen cooperation across seven key sectors, reaffirming their commitment to deepen political trust and expand practical collaboration following...

Laos Partners with European Union for New Forest Conservation Project

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Laos, and the European Union have launched a EUR 1.6 million (nearly USD...

Laos Eyes Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee to Lift Exports, Cut Emissions by 2027

Laos is advancing to transform its coffee sector by 2027, shifting the focus to higher value, cleaner production, and stronger access to international markets....

Laos Exceeds 2025 Tax Revenue Target

Laos’ tax sector collected LAK 22.85 billion (USD 1.06 million) in revenue in 2025, exceeding its annual target, according to the Ministry of Finance. The...

Laos Inflation Falls to 7.7 Percent in 2025, Showing Signs of Economic Stabilization

Laos’ average inflation fell to 7.7 percent in 2025, down sharply from 23.13 percent in 2024, according to the Bank of the Lao PDR...