News
Luang Prabang sees unexpected dip in tourism growth
Director of the Luang Prabang provincial Department of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Onechan Souvannalit, said on 25 May that much more needs to be done in terms of marketing and creating confidence among international tourists, to encourage them to visit the World Heritage town. Tourists mainly ...
Govt demarcates new mandates for ministries, adopts revenue collection measures

According to the new assignments at the government’s monthly meeting for May in Vientiane from May 24-25, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry takes sole management for all kinds of forest. The Ministry of Energy and Mines takes sole management mandate for all mining. Land management ...
Mayor proposes new highway through city centre
Vientiane authorities have stressed the need for a new highway that would run parallel to KaysonePhomvihane Road in a move to minimise traffic congestion in the capital. The capital’s mayor DrSinlavongKhoutphaythoune put the plan to the Vientiane People’s Council last week, saying that without a new ...
Boten-Mohan economic zones attract billions in investment

Businesses have poured more than 100 billion yuan into the Laos-China Boten-Mohan border economic cooperation zone, lured by investment incentives offered by the governments of both sides, the latest data shows. Located at the Mohan Border Port, which is China’s gateway to Laos and provides access ...
Govt, UNDP agree project to conserve Savannakhet's ecosystems

The government of Laos has just signed a new UNDP programme funded by the Global Environment Facility, which is set to conserve and manage forests in five districts of Savannakhet province, over the next six years. Dry dipterocarp forests are under pressure as large areas have ...
Donors pledge millions to extend fight against poverty
Switzerland has agreed to provide a grant of US$16 million, while the World Bank has expressed its intention to offer a low interest loan of US$30 million to fight poverty in Laos. If secured, the funds will be used to finance Phase III of the Poverty ...
Savannakhet folk get lesson in fruitful farming methods
Provincial agriculture officials are helping the people of Nateuy village in KaysonePhomvihane district, Savannakhet province, to improve crop cultivation and livestock production methods. The Savannakhet Agriculture and Forestry Department and village authorities gathered on 18 May to explain the best ways to grow fruit, rice and ...
Govt widens ban on timber exports, tightens wood business
The government has announced a new ban on the export of various tree species, timber products and ornamental plants in a move to take ownership of and maximise the benefits of Laos’ natural resources. Prime Minister ThonglounSisoulith issued an order last week imposing the ban on ...
Farmers irked by irrigation pump charges
Many farmers are reluctant to use irrigation systems that involve electrical pumps to deliver water to rice fields, as they are charged for the electricity consumed. This was confirmed by the former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry when speaking to the media recently.Keep reading ...
ASEAN labour ministers formulate joint action plans
The 24th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (24th ALMM) kicked off in Vientiane on 15 May to consider and adopt plans towards ensuring better conditions and prospects for the region’s workforce. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and attended by labour ministers from ...