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 Provides USD 1.93 Million to Boost Sustainable Rice, Vegetable Farming

On 24 December, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment provided USD 1.93 million in funds and support to 85 small-scale rice and vegetable production...

Asian Development Bank Approves Funds for Forestry Restoration Project in Laos

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD 10 million in funding for the Responsible Forestry Project Phase I in Laos. The package includes...

Japan Pledges USD 7 Million for Disaster Prevention, Emergency Response in Laos

Japan has committed USD 7 million to enhance Laos’ capacity for disaster prevention and emergency response, a critical step in addressing the country’s vulnerability...

Laos, Vietnam Plan Joint University, Expand Student Exchange

Laos and Vietnam have agreed to establish a Lao-Vietnam University in Laos and expand a program sending students from border areas to study in...

Seno EV Hub Launches Laos’ First 400kW Fast-Charging Station for Multiple Electric Vehicles

A new electric vehicle (EV) charging station, capable of serving up to eight vehicles simultaneously, has officially opened at the Seno Rest Area in...

Laos Uncovers Widespread Corruption, Records Billions in Losses Over Five Years

Laos has uncovered widespread corruption cases nationwide over the past five years, identifying 334 individuals implicated in financial misconduct between 2021 and 2025, with...