Asia Laos As of 1 August, digital platforms such as Google, Facebook and Amazon will charge a 10% value-added tax to customers in Laos, following the VAT increase from 7%
Asia Laos In response to persistent flooding in Vientiane during the rainy season, comprehensive measures are in place to mitigate the damage; flooding is due to city's rapid expansion, unregulated construction, improper land filling and changing weather patterns
Asia Laos Several provinces in Laos have started testing new public transport services with 'green buses', aimed at improving local infrastructure and reducing traffic congestion in agreement with South Korean company Booyoung Lao Company Limited
Asia Laos State Inspection Authority identified development and investment projects, particularly roads and bridges, as primary sources of fraud, notice the loss of large sums of money to corruption
Asia Laos The number of students in 4th and 7th grade secondary schools across Laos decreased for the third consecutive year, in announcement arrived as a total of 115.500 students are preparing for their final exams this month
Asia Laos The country is preparing to conduct its fifth population and housing census in March 2025, with a pilot test taking place in the capital Vientiane, Houaphanh, Bokeo and Sekong provinces, and will be the first digital census in the country
Asia Laos A new campaign to raise awareness and encourage young Lao students to wear helmets when riding motorbikes has been launched by the European Union Delegation in Laos in cooperation with UNICEF Laos, local car companies and the government
Asia Laos The country's telecommunications system was upgraded, adding a fibre optic cable extending 98.524 kilometres, thus reaching more villages across the country with mobile phone signals
Asia Laos A forest carbon credit initiative is being launched by the government of Laos, in collaboration with AIDC Green Forest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forest destruction and degradation
Asia Laos Laos's economic growth is facing continued challenges, with growth in 2023 estimated to remain below 2019 levels and expected to remain below in 2024 as well
Asia Laos The Bokeo Province State Water Supply Company has stirred controversy with a new regulation requiring households to pay LAK 10.000 (about $0,47) for each water bill receipt
Asia Laos Due to severe labor shortage crisis, as young people seek higher wages through overseas employment opportunities, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare appealed to Laotian citizens both at home and abroad to consider employment opportunities in Laos
Asia Laos A labor festival was organized In Vientiane to try to meet the urgent need to fill 560 positions in 56 companies at a time of employment crisis