Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Lao Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith exchanged 17 investment certificates in Vientiane, including a $768 million wind power project by Vietnam's T&T Group. The agreements support efforts to expand bilateral trade to $10 billion and deepen cooperation in energy and infrastructure.
Laos Bans Raw Mineral Exports From New Mines and Freezes Rare Earth Project Approvals
The Lao government has announced a ban on unprocessed mineral exports from new mining operations and suspended approvals for new rare earth projects. The restrictions aim to encourage domestic mineral processing, increase government revenue and create more skilled employment within Laos.
Thailand and Laos Move to Introduce Single-Stop Border Inspections to Ease Regional Trade
Thailand and Laos are accelerating plans for a unified border inspection system following high-level diplomatic discussions. The arrangement is intended to reduce customs delays, improve freight movement and strengthen connections between Thai manufacturing centres and the China-Laos Railway.
China-Laos Railway Passes 80 Million Passengers and 100 Billion Yuan in Cross-Border Trade
The China-Laos Railway has carried more than 80 million passengers and handled international trade worth over 100 billion yuan since opening, according to regional transport authorities. The route also recorded 14,000 cross-border travellers during the recent Chinese holiday period, highlighting its growing importance for tourism and regional commerce.
Thailand, Laos and Myanmar Launch Joint Plan to Reduce Cross-Border Haze Pollution
Thailand, Laos and Myanmar have introduced a coordinated plan to monitor and prevent forest fires and agricultural burning that contribute to seasonal haze. The initiative aims to improve air quality, protect public health and reduce disruptions to tourism across mainland Southeast Asia.
Laos Expands Digital Tax Collection and Electric Vehicle Incentives to Protect Foreign Reserves
The Lao government has announced plans to broaden value-added tax collection, introduce nationwide electronic tax invoicing and encourage greater commercial electric vehicle use. The measures are intended to strengthen public revenue, reduce dependence on imported fuel and ease pressure on the national currency.
Vietnamese Wind Investment Strengthens Laos' Role in Regional Renewable Power Supply
Major Vietnamese investment in Lao wind energy, including T&T Group's planned 495-megawatt Savan 2 project, is supporting closer electricity cooperation across the Mekong region. The expansion could increase renewable power exports and strengthen connections between Southeast Asian electricity networks.
Laos Pushes Domestic Mineral Processing to Capture More Value From Natural Resources
Laos is tightening mining regulations to encourage companies to process minerals locally rather than export raw materials. The new restrictions on unrefined ore shipments and rare earth project approvals aim to retain more economic benefits from mining and support domestic industrial development.
Thailand-Laos Customs Integration Could Cut Freight Delays Along China-Laos Railway Corridor
Plans for single-stop border inspections between Thailand and Laos could make it easier for manufacturers to move goods between Thai industrial centres and southern China through the China-Laos Railway. More coordinated customs procedures are expected to reduce transport delays and improve regional supply chain efficiency.
Laos Accelerates Digital Tax Reforms to Improve Revenue Collection and Currency Stability
Laos is expanding electronic tax invoicing and value-added tax enforcement as part of efforts to strengthen public finances. The changes, alongside measures to reduce imported fuel consumption, are designed to improve revenue collection and ease pressure on foreign currency reserves.