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Laos' inflation drops further to 5.3 per cent in July

Laos' inflation drops further to 5.3 per cent in July

The Star9 hours ago
VIENTIANE: Inflation in Laos dropped to 5.3 per cent in July, down from 7.2 per cent in June, according to the latest report from the Lao Statistics Bureau.
The highest price rise was recorded in the housing, water, electricity and gas category, which stood at 16.1 per cent, according to the report on Wednesday (July 30).
This was followed by the medical care and medicines category at 14.6 per cent, the household goods category at 10.1 per cent, and the education category at 9.3 per cent.
The Lao government has intensified efforts to control inflation by adopting more restrictive monetary policies.
In addition, the government is actively working towards building an independent and self-reliant economy, with a strong focus on optimising revenue, controlling expenditure, and improving financial management. - Xinhua
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Laos' inflation drops further to 5.3 per cent in July
Laos' inflation drops further to 5.3 per cent in July

The Star

time9 hours ago

  • The Star

Laos' inflation drops further to 5.3 per cent in July

VIENTIANE: Inflation in Laos dropped to 5.3 per cent in July, down from 7.2 per cent in June, according to the latest report from the Lao Statistics Bureau. The highest price rise was recorded in the housing, water, electricity and gas category, which stood at 16.1 per cent, according to the report on Wednesday (July 30). This was followed by the medical care and medicines category at 14.6 per cent, the household goods category at 10.1 per cent, and the education category at 9.3 per cent. The Lao government has intensified efforts to control inflation by adopting more restrictive monetary policies. In addition, the government is actively working towards building an independent and self-reliant economy, with a strong focus on optimising revenue, controlling expenditure, and improving financial management. - Xinhua

More than just a forum
More than just a forum

Borneo Post

time17 hours ago

  • Borneo Post

More than just a forum

Fu Hua, the forum chair and president of Xinhua News Agency, delivers a keynote speech at the BRICS Media and Think-Tank Forum. — Xinhua photo WHEN I received the invitation from Xinhua News Agency to attend the 'BRICS Media and Think-Tank Forum' in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I accepted with a sense of pride and anticipation. As a representative from Malaysia, a non-BRICS country but a believer in South-South cooperation and balanced global narratives following the impressive business delegation led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim a week ahead of the media summit to Rio, I looked forward to a meaningful exchange of ideas with fellow media leaders and thinkers from across the Global South. After all, the premise of a platform for voices from emerging economies to come together was promising. 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The representatives of these countries began meeting informally during the 2006 meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. In 2011, South Africa joined the organisation, resulting in the change of the group's name abbreviation to BRICS. Now, BRICS also includes Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

Laos works to boost tourism and elevate service quality as fuel for economic growth
Laos works to boost tourism and elevate service quality as fuel for economic growth

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timea day ago

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Laos works to boost tourism and elevate service quality as fuel for economic growth

VIENTIANE (Xinhua): Laos is enhancing its tourism sector by improving standards, upgrading infrastructure, and elevating service quality and visitor experiences, recognizing tourism as a vital driver of economic growth. Initiatives include expanding media promotion, promoting digital payments, and modernizing border checkpoints to attract more visitors and boost economic growth. The Lao government also plans to review visa policies and strengthen regional cooperation. These measures aim to position the Southeast Asian country as a more accessible, competitive, and sustainable tourism destination. Maikham, a hotel staff member in northern Laos' Luang Prabang province, emphasized the importance of continuously improving service standards to meet visitor satisfaction and attract tourists for repeat visits. Maikham said that the growing number of visitors not only boosts economic growth but also inspires local communities to enhance their services, maintain cleaner environments, and create more cultural experiences for tourists. She also expressed strong support for national efforts to attract more tourists and stressed the importance of community involvement in shaping a brighter future for the country's tourism sector. Laos is continuing its national tour guide training program to build a skilled and sufficient workforce that meets the growing demands of the tourism sector. Kanchana, a resident of Vientiane province, stressed enhancing the service mindset of the Lao people to welcome diverse tourists. She noted that local residents should be equipped with basic tourism knowledge to better assist visitors. Chanhphieng, a vendor in Luang Prabang, highlighted the need to offer more creative and diverse food, drinks, services, and activities to keep tourists engaged and encourage them to return. To attract more visitors, the Lao Ministry of Culture and Tourism is preparing for the second Visit Laos-China Year, with a focus on strengthening tourism promotion and attracting more Chinese tourists. In 2024, Laos welcomed 1,048,035 Chinese visitors, and in the first half of 2025, 602,103 Chinese tourists were recorded, indicating continued growth. Laos aims to attract 4.3 million international tourists in 2025, with expectations to generate over US$1 billion in revenue. - Xinhua

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