13 Feb, 2026

Laos, United Arab Emirates to Cooperate on Digital, AI, Cybersecurity, Economy

Laos has taken new steps to strengthen its digital security as the government pushes ahead with online services, artificial intelligence, and digital finance.During the World Government Summit 2026 in Dubai on 3 February, Lao authorities signed agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), based partners focusing on cybersecurity, digital finance, and artificial intelligence, areas seen as increasingly critical as Laos moves more government and financial services online.The Lao Ministry of Finance and Kaspersky Middle East signed a Memorandum of Understanding aiming to strengthen protection for digital infrastructure, financial platforms, and online transactions as Laos expands its use of digital services.The partnership also includes technical training, addressing a key challenge for Laos as digital systems develop faster than local technical capacity.A second agreement, signed between the Ministry of Technology and Communications and Menas Capital LLC, aims to link Laos to a wider regional digital and artificial intelligence network through the planned ASEAN Digital and AI Hub. Officials say the initiative could help Laos improve digital public services and allow local businesses to connect more easily with regional technology markets.Beyond technology, the summit also provided a platform for broader economic engagement. Lao and UAE business representatives met in Dubai to discuss logistics, transport, and manufacturing, highlighting interest in using Laos’ rail links and dry ports to support regional trade.The following day, on 4 February, Laos and the UAE also discussed trade and investment opportunities connected to logistics, dry ports and seaports, transport links, railway-based trade, and modern manufacturing. The parties signed two additional agreements to promote trade and investment between their respective private sectors.

11 Feb, 2026

Vientiane Capital Surpasses 2025 Revenue Target by 31%

Vientiane Capital collected more than LAK 14 trillion (approximately USD 650 million) in 2025, surpassing its annual target by 31 percent, according to the Department of Finance of Vientiane Capital.Speaking at the 2025 Annual Financial Review Meeting and the 2026 Planning Conference, Viengsaly Inthaphom, Head of the Department of Finance of Vientiane Capital, said total revenue collection reached 130 percent of the approved plan, marking a year-on-year increase of 31 percent, or approximately LAK 3.3 trillion (approximately USD 153 million).Viengsaly attributed the successful performance to stricter revenue management, improved tax administration, and full implementation of the TaxRIS system across all units. Additional contributions came from an expanded tax base, better registration of small and micro-enterprises, and higher revenue from fuel imports, vehicles, and consumer goods.The finance head also noted that effective coordination between the Vientiane Capital administration, the Ministry of Finance, and district authorities played a key role in strengthening collections and achieving targets.Looking ahead to 2026, the Department of Finance will continue tightening revenue control, preventing budget leakage, and implementing national economic recovery measures.

09 Feb, 2026

Vietnam Gives Foreign Investors Easier Access to Stock Market

AFP – Vietnam has moved to allow foreign investors to buy shares of local companies through international brokerages, the finance ministry has announced, removing a major hurdle to accessing the fast-growing Asian market.Vietnam’s benchmark stock index surged more than 40 percent last year, despite new 20 percent tariffs on exports to its top trading partner the United States.The easing of investment restrictions comes ahead of Vietnam’s expected upgrade to emerging market status by FTSE Russell, enabling the index provider to start including Vietnamese equities by September.Foreign investors no longer have to open trading accounts directly with a domestic securities company, the finance ministry said on Tuesday of the policy change.Tran Hoang Son, market strategy director at VPBank Securities Company in Hanoi, said the changes help “reduce technical barriers and administrative procedures… making the Vietnamese market more accessible to foreign capital”.“These reforms serve as necessary conditions to activate medium and long-term foreign capital flows,” he added.The new rules do not alter strict foreign ownership limits.FTSE Russell announced in October that it was reclassifying Vietnam as a “secondary emerging market”, a designation that will put it in the same group with China and India.The upgrade from “frontier” status, which is subject to an interim review in March, takes effect in September, the index provider has said.FTSE Russell first added Vietnam to its watch list for an upgrade in 2018, and the country has made sweeping market reforms since then, including scrapping some foreign ownership caps for publicly listed companies.It has predicted that promotion to emerging market status could unlock up to USD 6 billion in capital inflows.Vietnam has proved surprisingly resilient in the face of new 20 percent tariffs imposed by US leader Donald Trump, clocking eight percent growth last year, among the fastest in Asia.

06 Feb, 2026

Laos Records 4.8 Percent Growth in 2025, Sets Higher Economic Targets for 2026

Laos recorded economic growth of 4.8 percent in 2025, signalling a steady recovery across major sectors, according to the Lao Statistics Bureau. Services, manufacturing, and agriculture remained the main pillars supporting overall economic performance.Services accounted for 36.3 percent of the economy, supported by growth in tourism-related activities, transport, and trade. Manufacturing followed at 32 percent, indicating sustained industrial activity, while agriculture contributed 20.3 percent, remaining vital to rural livelihoods and food security.Income indicators also showed gradual improvement. GDP per capita reached USD 2,176 in 2025, while gross national income (GNI) per capita stood at USD 2,029, pointing to rising average income levels.Focus Turns to 2026 Growth TargetsLooking ahead, the government aims to accelerate economic growth to at least 5.5 percent in 2026, exceeding the current estimate of 5.1 percent based on recent trends. The target builds on direction from the 2025 recovery.Tourism, energy, logistics, agriculture, and agro-processing industries have been identified as key drivers for the year ahead. Authorities are also aiming to raise income levels further, with GDP per capita projected at USD 2,238 and gross national income per capita at USD 2,101.Overall, the Laos economic growth 2025 figures point to a stabilising economy led by services, with steady support from manufacturing and agriculture. With higher targets set for 2026, the focus remains on strengthening core sectors to sustain growth and improve household incomes.

04 Feb, 2026

Laos Targets Upper-Middle-Income Status by 2035 Through Growth and Fiscal Reform

The Lao government has reaffirmed its long-term development ambitions, linking sustained economic growth and tighter fiscal management to a goal of reaching upper-middle-income status by 2035.Speaking at the 2025 financial performance review and 2026 policy direction meeting on 29 January, Minister of Finance Santiphap Phomvihane told state media that Laos aims to reach upper-middle-income status by 2035, with per capita income of USD 4,600–5,000.For comparison, while official income data by province is not publicly available, Vientiane Capital currently records the country’s highest GDP per capita, at LAK 85.17 million (approximately USD 3,957), with levels in other provinces remaining significantly lower.According to the minister, the government plans to sustain average economic growth of 6–7 percent over the coming decade to meet this target. The strategy aligns with national socio-economic development plans and the country’s long-term development vision.To support the transition, authorities plan to restructure the economy by prioritizing seven key sectors identified as major growth drivers. These sectors are expected to improve productivity, expand the economic base, and raise household incomes.Fiscal reform will play a central role in the strategy. For 2026, state revenue is projected at 20.02 percent of GDP, supported by measures to broaden the tax base, strengthen revenue collection, reduce non-compliant tax exemptions, and expand the use of digital systems in tax administration. On the spending side, the government plans to tighten budget controls and strengthen oversight from planning through auditing.Past performanceOfficials also highlighted progress under the National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021–2025). Laos recorded economic growth of 4.8 percent in 2025, with average growth of 4.24 percent over the five-year period. Inflation eased to around 8.8 percent, while macroeconomic stability improved and poverty levels declined in line with national targets.Building on these gains, authorities said sustained reforms, disciplined fiscal management, and steady growth in priority sectors will be critical for Laos to achieve its 2035 income goal and move into the upper-middle-income category.

02 Feb, 2026

Vientiane Tourism Exceeds 2025 Targets, Generating Over USD 621 Million

Vientiane welcomed more than 2.2 million visitors in 2025, exceeding its annual tourism target and generating over USD 621 million in revenue, Lao authorities reported.The Department of Culture and Tourism Vientiane Capital on 27 January reported that these figures surpassed the 2025 target of 2 million visitors and USD 600 million in revenue.Officials said major cultural and heritage sites continued to draw strong interest. Ho Phrakeo Museum, Wat Sisaket, and Pha Thatluang recorded more than 208,500 visits, with international tourists accounting for the majority.The 2025 performance marks significant growth from 2024, when Vientiane recorded around 1.7 million tourist visits and generated more than USD 490 million in tourism income. In 2024, more than 300,000 visitors traveled to the capital’s main tourist sites, contributing over LAK 9 billion (approximately USD 400,000) to the local economy.Key attractions include Pha Thatluang, Patuxay, Ho Phrakeo Museum, and Wat Sisaket.Nationally, Laos welcomed nearly 4.6 million tourists in 2025. In the next five years, the country aims to attract over 43 million total visitors nationwide, 22 million international tourists, 4.4 million each year, generating at least USD 13 billion in revenue.Looking ahead, the department said it will focus on improving tourism standards, preserving cultural heritage, and strengthening management systems to support sustainable growth and maintain Vientiane’s appeal as a key destination.

30 Jan, 2026

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 with elevated price pressures driven primarily by utility costs, according to official data.The consumer price index (CPI) stood at 256.8 in January 2026, slightly lower than 257.2 of December 2025 but significantly higher than the 244.2 recorded in January 2025, indicating sustained year-on-year price growth.Utilities Remain Primary DriverThe housing, water, electricity, and cooking fuel category emerged as the primary driver of inflation, surging 24.2 percent year-on-year. This sharp increase was fueled by a dramatic 169.1 percent spike in electricity prices and a 42.7 percent rise in water supply costs, placing significant pressure on household budgets.Other categories also experienced substantial price increases. Healthcare and medicine climbed 13.6 percent, education rose 11.5 percent, and miscellaneous goods and services surged 32.1 percent. Alcohol and tobacco products increased 8.3 percent, while clothing and footwear advanced 7.6 percent.On a month-on-month basis, overall prices declined 0.2 percent in January. Food and non-alcoholic beverages fell 1.2 percent due to lower vegetable prices, while fuel prices decreased 3.2 percent.Laos’ overall inflation rate for 2025 stood at 7.7 percent, down from 23.13 percent in 2024. Under its 10th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026-2030), the government has set a target to maintain inflation at around 5 percent annually.

28 Jan, 2026

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 high-level talks in Hanoi on January 26.The agreements followed high-level talks between Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in Hanoi on 26 January.Both leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing their partnership amidst evolving regional dynamics and agreed to further fortify the political foundation of the Vietnam–Laos relationship. This includes continued high-level exchanges, strategic coordination, and mutual support in international forums. Strengthening Political TiesEconomic cooperation topped the discussions, with both sides reaffirming their shared goal of boosting bilateral trade to USD 10 billion. They agreed to further strengthen economic ties, focusing on enhancing trade links and increasing investment opportunities.The two leaders also touched on the importance of fostering a regional environment conducive to sustainable growth, particularly focusing on strengthening the digital economy and supporting agricultural innovation.They discussed  expediting key strategic infrastructure projects to improve connectivity. Notable initiatives include the Hanoi–Vientiane expressway, the Vientiane–Vung Ang railway, and enhanced border transport links. Education, Human Resources, and Digital DevelopmentMeanwhile, expanding cooperation in education and human resource development remains a key cooperation point in both countries’ agendas. Thongloun and To Lam discussed increased focus on improving education quality, training skilled personnel, and fostering a deeper understanding of the special Laos-Vietnam relationship among younger generations. Furthermore, both nations committed to advancing digital transformation, including e-government and telecommunications.Energy Security and Regional IntegrationEnergy security was also highlighted as a priority area during the 26 January meeting. Both sides agreed to strengthen cross-border infrastructure for electricity and fuel, with projects such as the North Laos–Vietnam power transmission line and a petroleum storage initiative designed to improve supply stability and enhance long-term economic cooperation.Commitment to Regional and International CooperationFinally, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination on regional and international issues. The two leaders pledged to continue supporting each other at multilateral forums and sharing information to ensure mutual progress on global challenges.As both countries continue to deepen their collaboration in the political, economic, and cultural spheres, they also seek to enhance cooperation in defense, ensuring that both nations remain secure and resilient against global and regional challenges.

26 Jan, 2026

Laos Introduces Fines for Damaging, Misusing Banknotes

The Lao government began enforcing new rules on the use and handling of banknotes on 20 February, introducing fines for damaging or misusing cash to protect the kip and improve circulation.Under the decree, individuals who deliberately damage banknotes, such as scattering or stepping on them, or who sell new notes for profit will face fines of LAK 5 million (USD 230). Authorities said these practices show disrespect for the national currency and reduce the quality and lifespan of banknotes in circulation.The rules also prohibit practices that commonly damage cash, including writing on notes, using glue or tape, or stapling banknotes into ceremonial bouquets, a custom still seen at some celebrations in Laos.Meanwhile, the government reaffirmed the public’s right to exchange worn or damaged banknotes free of charge at any commercial bank. For a full exchange, more than 50 percent of the original note must remain intact.Banks now face stricter obligations under the decree. Financial institutions that refuse to exchange damaged notes or charge fees for doing so will be fined LAK 10 million (about USD 460)Fines will double for repeat violations, applying to both individuals and financial institutions. Officials said the penalties aim to reduce violations and strengthen compliance with the new banknote regulations.The Bank of the Lao PDR remains the sole authority responsible for printing, distributing, inspecting, and destroying banknotes.