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Headlines:
Business Forum Charts Growth and Challenges
Team Europe Increases Financial Support
Bank of Laos Reforms FOREX Transfers
Energy and Mining Sector Growth Targets Set
Digital Week 2025 Comes to A Close
Netizens Challenge Poverty Eradication Claims
Workshop for Resilient Growth
Lao-Vietnamese Trade and Investment Relations
Amata Corp Expands with New Laos Project
Bull Semen for Improved Food Security
Vientiane Public Transport Works Accelerate
Vietnam Tech Co-operation Agreement Signed
Thirty One Years of Cross-Border Connectivity
Business Forum Charts Growth and Challenges
The 16th Lao Business Forum was held last Thursday, and economic projections of 4.1% growth for 2024-2025, while battling 25% inflation and currency challenges were some of the main issues brought to the fore. The government reported reducing controlled business activities from 44 to 21 and getting a digital tax filing system (TaxRIS) in place. Some of the biggest remaining issues discussed included a labor shortage with 313,000 Lao workers in Thailand, limited MSME credit access, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Chinese investments have reached $14 billion, mostly in renewable energy, IT, logistics, and finance. Priorities for this year include business licensing reforms, trade facilitation, domestic production promotion, and tourism development. Placement on the FATF grey list remains a concern.
Read more: Laotian Times
Team Europe Increases Financial Support
Team Europe has grown its financial commitment to Laos from €550 million to €672 million for 2021-2025. This support package, coordinated through several European partners, is intended to support sustainable development initiatives under Laos' 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan. The funding targets green and inclusive economic growth, human capital development, governance improvements, and infrastructure development through the Global Gateway initiative.
Read more: Borneo Bulletin
Bank of Laos Reforms FOREX Transfers
The Bank of Laos has announced new regulations lowering fees for foreign currency deposit account transfers, effective April 5, 2025. The new structure sets a 0.3% transfer fee between foreign currency accounts, with minimum and maximum fees of $1 and $30 respectively per transaction. Individual account holders can transfer up to $10,000 without documentation, while businesses have a $100,000 limit. These regulations apply to same-name account transfers, bank-customer loan transactions, interest payments, securities transfers, and state obligation transactions, following February's measures on financial transparency.
Read more: Laotian Times
Energy and Mining Sector Growth Targets Set
The government has announced plans to increase the energy and mining sector's contribution to 25% of GDP by 2030, with annual growth targets of 10-12%. The strategy for power is to build-out electricity transmission infrastructure and for mining to force more sustainable mining practices. The biggest problems to tackle include reducing Électricité du Laos debt, getting more foreign investment, and further improving regulatory frameworks. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone emphasized balanced development through governance, financial stability, and responsible resource management, while keeping electricity affordable.
Read more: Laotian Times (Growth Strategy), Bernama (Economic Contribution)
Digital Week 2025 Comes to A Close
Lao Digital Week 2025 launched with a call for digital transformation across government, business, and society. The event, launched April 2, was in aid of promoting investment in AI, cloud computing, and ICT infrastructure to close the digital gap and support economic growth. Officials emphasized digital governance, skills development, and regional collaboration, with support from ASEAN and international partners.
Read more: VietnamPlus
Netizens Challenge Poverty Eradication Claims
According to Soumaly Thammavong, Head of the Vientiane Home Affairs Department, 99.43% of families in Vientiane Capital have escaped poverty. Official figures show 155,493 families have risen above the poverty line, with 142,698 families (91.24%) classified as developed. Nine districts have received poverty-free certification. These claims are, however, facing public skepticism on social media, where residents dispute the statistics by pointing to widespread economic hardship and daily financial challenges; a distinct gap between government reporting and on-the-ground reality.
Read more: Laotian Times
Workshop for Resilient Growth
The Laos Ministry of Finance has partnered with the Asian Development Bank to conduct a workshop to figure out financing strategies for resilient growth. The workshop brought together government officials, development partners, and sector experts to tackle challenges including climate-induced disasters and funding access for resilience projects. The workshop emphasized improved resilience in the agriculture and health sectors while supporting disaster management capabilities.
Read more: The Star
Lao-Vietnamese Trade and Investment Relations
A trade and investment conference in Savannakhet Province showed strengthening economic ties between Vietnam and Laos. Laos has been able to keep its position as Vietnam's primary overseas investment destination, with Vietnam running 269 projects valued at $5.66 billion. Bilateral trade reached $2.2 billion in 2024, an increase or about a third. Savannakhet Province, centrally located and a growing gateway to Thailand, was keen to tout local opportunities in agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, and mineral extraction, with its Special Economic Zone ready to serve investors.
Read more: Vietnam News
Amata Corp Expands with New Laos Project
Amata Corporation PCL expects a 15% increase in group land sales to 3,500 rai (560 hectares) in 2025, supported by strong investor interest in Thailand, Vietnam, and its new Laos project. The company is launching land sales at Amata Smart & Eco City Namor in Laos, conveniently located along the Laos-China Railway. The company is targeting industries including automotive/EV supply chain, semiconductors, data centers, food processing, and renewable energy, capitalizing on company relocations driven by US-China trade tensions.
Read more: Business Insider
Bull Semen for Improved Food Security
China and Laos have set up an agricultural partnership through a cattle crossbreeding program. China will provide Laos with 100,000 doses of frozen semen from Huaxi cattle and 10 breeding bulls. The agreement comes alongside growing bilateral trade, which reached $8.23 billion last year. Agriculture plays a very important role in both economies, making up 16.5% of Laos' GDP and 16.2% of China's GDP. The cattle breeding project is part of China's "Food Silk Road" strategy to strengthen food security, push biotechnology capabilities, and build on existing infrastructure projects like the China-Laos railway.
Read more: South China Morning Post
Vientiane Public Transport Works Accelerate
Vientiane's Setthathirath Road expansion project, part of the Vientiane Sustainable Urban Transport Project, is pushing construction to meet completion targets before the new year festivities begin. The project includes dedicated bus lanes, improved drainage systems, and new pedestrian walkways connecting major temples and public spaces. Led by Bounyavat Niraxay, Director of Public Works and Transport Department, the works have been funded through a consortium including the Asian Development Bank, European Investment Bank, OPEC Fund, and European Union. The bus system is scheduled for full operation by end-2025, with a planned three-month free trial period.
Read more: Laotian Times
Vietnam Tech Co-operation Agreement Signed
Laos and Vietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding to improve cooperation in technology and innovation. The agreement sets out a framework for building online and offline courses, student exchanges, and training programs in order to develop citizens with modern technological skills and prepare them for new opportunities.
Read more: The Star
Thirty One Years of Cross-Border Connectivity
The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, inaugurated in 1994, celebrates 31 years as a cornerstone of regional integration, linking Nong Khai, Thailand to Tha Duea, Laos. Co-funded by Australia, the 1,174-meter span over the Mekong River has allowed for millions of crossings and catalyzed economic, trade, and tourism development. Its success led to four additional bridges, with a fifth opening in May 2025 and a sixth underway.
Read more: Laotian Times
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading.
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