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Headlines:
Trade Push Promises Faster Clearance
Mining Investments Hit $2.5B
Power Line to Vietnam Sparked Up
Border Security Improved
Trafficking Networks Face Mounting Pressure
Riding the Tourism Wave with Awards, Infrastructure
Administrative Reform Revives Sub-Districts
Transport Safety Under the Microscope
Education Crisis Deepens
Beer Giant Leads Tax Revenue
Air Quality Concerns on the Rise
Rice Decarbonization Trials Expand
Climate Action Campaign Launches
Mekong Patrol Cooperation Strengthens
Trade Push Promises Faster Clearance
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has approved a draft Trade and Transport Facilitation Strategy 2025-2030 to try and amp up improvements in trade efficiency. The draft includes 12 measures and 23 programs that are expected to cut permit processing time by 40%, checkpoint clearance time by half, and unnecessary checkpoints half. The plan also is expected to improve the logistics efficiency index to 3.4. The government plans to review a final report in February 2025.
Read more: Laotian Times
Mining Investments Hit $2.5B
The mining sector pulled in USD 2.5 billion of investment last year, with 244 companies approved for operations over 378 projects. Of these, 85 are engaged in exploration and processing, 58 in construction, and 76 in pilot mining. Total mineral sales value grew 13% to USD 3.2 billion. Chinese enterprises are keeping a strong presence with 18 mining projects. Asia-Potash International Company reached 1.8 million tons production capacity in 2024.
Read more: Laotian Times
Power Line to Vietnam Sparked Up
The switch for the Vietnamese section of the Monsoon-Thanh My 500kV transmission line has been flipped to “on”. The project will export 600 MW of electricity from Laos' Monsoon wind power plant to Vietnam's grid during 2024-2025. The 44.71 km Vietnamese section cost USD 44 million and was completed 40 days ahead of schedule. The line has a maximum transmission capacity of 2,500 MW.
Read more: The Star
Border Security Improved
Cambodia and Laos are working together on immigration matters to keep their borders secure. Both immigration departments are expanding how they cooperate within existing legal frameworks, building on a security agreement that is intended to tackle transnational crime, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. Also see the next topic, below.
Read more: Khmer Times
Trafficking Networks Face Mounting Pressure
Law enforcement across the region scored major wins against human trafficking operations. Indian authorities rescued 67 nationals from cyber scam centers in Laos' Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, while Lao police prevented three women from boarding a China-bound flight in a suspected trafficking case. Thai police freed seven Chinese nationals held for ransom after being lured from Laos, arresting eight suspects including law enforcement officers.
Read more: RFA (Lao Police Action), Tribune India (Indian Rescue)
Riding the Tourism Wave with Awards, Infrastructure
Big moves are afoot in the tourism sector, with Laos earning 29 ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards, growing local infrastructure, and riding the wave of record-breaking regional tourism growth. The country was recognized at the ASEAN Tourism Forum for its sustainable tourism efforts, with awards for homestays, community-based tourism, spa services, and even public restrooms. ASEAN welcomed more than 123 million tourists in 2024, an increase or almost a third, driven by better visa policies and cross-border collaboration. Laos’ tourism growth has also been improved with its developing visitor infrastructure, including new highways, expanded hotel options, and the China-Laos Railway, which has completely changed travel across the country. Despite a tragic incident in Vang Vieng last year, the nation is set for a breakthrough year in 2025 as it works to cement its place as a top regional destination.
Read more: Laotian Times (Tourism Awards), Travel and Tour World (ASEAN Growth), The Star (Infrastructure Boom)
Administrative Reform Revives Sub-Districts
Roughly 950 sub-districts ("Ta Saeng") are expected to be mapped out by mid-2025 as part of a nationwide administrative reform. Districts will be divided into 6-7 sub-districts each, overseeing 1-24 villages. Sub-district offices will have committees including a chairman and support staff. Districts with fewer than 20,000 residents may become sub-districts. Implementation will follow the Lao Constitution update.
Read more: Laotian Times
Transport Safety Under the Microscope
Two bus accidents in Laos within 24 hours left multiple casualties. The first crash killed five Laotians and injured 13 Israelis, while a second incident resulted in 18 Israeli injuries. The government has announced a USD 500 million Integrated Vehicle and Transport Management Project to try and improve urban safety through digital reforms and infrastructure upgrades. The roads of Laos aren’t nearly as dangerous as they once were, but the recent incidents show that there is a long way to go.
Read more: i24news (Bus Crashes), The Star (Safety Reforms)
Education Crisis Deepens
Rising dropout rates are a plague in multiple Lao provinces, particularly affecting secondary and high school levels. Economic hardship, teacher shortages, and limited infrastructure are driving the unfortunate trend. The government has launched teacher training programs with support from international partners to try and fix the problem.
Read more: Laotian Times
Beer Giant Leads Tax Revenue
Lao Brewery Company has come out on top as the country's largest taxpayer, putting USD 240 million into the governments coffer for 2024, up about a third year-over-year. The company exported Beerlao worth USD 13 million to nearly 20 countries.
Read more: Laotian Times
Air Quality Concerns on the Rise
PM 2.5 levels in Lao cities reached unsafe levels this week, with Vientiane capital recording 152 microgrammes per cubic metre, triple the safety threshold. Vientiane, Bolikhamxay, and Attapeu provinces also reported unhealthy air quality levels. The issue is Southeast-Asia wide and while much talk is made about improving the situation, it seems to be an issue for which solutions remain elusive.
Read more: The Star
Rice Decarbonization Trials Expand
The award-winning Decarbonising Rice project has expanded trials to Laos, India, and Indonesia. Initial trials saw up to a 50% reduction in methane emissions, a 50% water use reduction, and 5-10% yield improvements.
Read more: Sarkaritel
Climate Action Campaign Launches
Laos has kicked off a Climate Exchange Campaign in Vientiane to address environmental challenges through sustainable practices. The EU-supported program is particularly focused on youth engagement in climate action via advocacy and innovation.
Read more: The Star
Mekong Patrol Cooperation Strengthens
Officials from Laos, China, Myanmar, and Thailand met for their 149th cooperation meeting on Mekong River water patrols. The countries agreed to continue joint patrols involving more than 200 boats and 2,700 law-enforcement personnel over a total of 630 kilometers of river.
Read more: Nation Thailand
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading.
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