Vientiane (VNA) - The year-on-year inflation rate jumped to 7.3 percent inFebruary, the highest figure recorded in Laos since January 2016.
The surge in consumer prices has been driven by the spiralingcost of fuel and other imported products due to the continuing depreciation ofthe kip, according to the latest report from the Lao Statistics Bureau.
The demand for foreign currencies, notably US dollars and Thaibaht, remains high as businesses must use these currencies to import goods.
Consumer prices surged more than expected over the past sevenmonths, driven by both internal and external factors.
According to the Lao Statistics Bureau, the external factorsimpacting the costs of goods and services are mostly linked to the COVID-19pandemic and the Ukraine crisis, resulting in a volatile global fuel market.
The price of fuel in Laos has increased six times so far thisyear, which has had a huge impact on the inflation rate. The cost of meat and fish surged by 5.3 percent year-on-year while the price of fruit and vegetables rose by 6.8 percent year-on-year. The price of medical care and medicines rose by 0.38 percent month-on-month and 9.39 percent year-on-year. Prices in the restaurant and hotel category surged by 0.11 percent month-on-month and 8.65 percent year-on-year.
Besides, the cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages in February increased by 0.45 percent month-on-month and 5.47 percent year-on-year.
The government has been working to stimulate production in order to reduce imports and control fuel prices, helping mitigate impacts on the economy and people. It has decided to cut Value Added Tax from 10 to 7percent this year and cut all fuel reserves./.
Cambodia has presented 10 more refrigerated vaccine vans to help Laos carry out its inoculation campaign against COVID-19, especially in remote and mountainous regions.
Vietnamese in Laos paid tribute to 64 soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago 34 years ago, at a requiem at Phat Tich Pagoda in Vientiane capital on March 14.
The Pasaxon newspaper, the official mouthpiece of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, on March 16 front-paged an article highlighting the unique relationship between Vietnam and Laos.
The forum, which involves global experts and creative leaders from across 14 cultural sectors, aims to expand Thailand’s presence on the world stage through innovation and cultural exchange.
In his article, Oscar Sanchez Serra highlighted President Ho Chi Minh’s founding of the Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper on June 21, 1925, which marked the birth of Vietnam's revolutionary press rooted in a bold and far-sighted vision.
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Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered the urgent implementation of a national policy to crack down on all forms of call centre scams, online fraud, and illegal gambling, which are now considered threats to national security.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and EAEU Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev jointly declared the conclusion of FTA talks on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025), according to the statement.
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
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In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
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Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
Illustrative image (Source: Laoedaily) 
