老挝努力促进经济平稳增长

Economic Growth Plan - The Laotian government aims for an average annual economic growth of 5% from 2026 to 2030, focusing on modernizing energy, agriculture, and tourism sectors while enhancing human resources and promoting digital economy development [1] Economic Performance and Projections - The World Bank reports a 4.1% economic growth for Laos in 2024, driven by stable growth in services, electricity, mining, agriculture, and manufacturing exports [1] - The Asian Development Bank forecasts a 3.9% growth in 2025 and a 4.0% growth in 2026, with logistics and tourism as key growth drivers [1] - In 2024, the number of foreign tourists visiting Laos is expected to increase by 21% year-on-year [1] Agricultural Sector - Agriculture remains a traditional economic pillar for Laos, with agricultural exports reaching $977 million in the first five months of the year, accounting for 65% of the annual target of $1.5 billion [2] - Laos plans to export 74 types of agricultural products, including 200,000 tons of rice to Bangladesh, with China being the largest importer of Laotian agricultural products [2] - The opening of the China-Laos railway has improved logistics for agricultural exports, particularly mangoes [2] Support for SMEs and Listed Companies - The Laotian government encourages the development of SMEs and listed companies by revising income tax laws to reduce tax burdens and improve administrative efficiency [2] - The standard corporate tax rate for listed companies is set at 20%, with a new regulation allowing a 10% tax rate for the first 10 years post-registration [2] Inflation and Economic Challenges - Laos faces challenges such as inflation and currency instability, with the inflation rate decreasing from 8.3% in May to 7.2% in June [3] - The World Bank reported a drop in inflation from 25% last year to 11.2% in March, with expectations of further alleviation in the second half of the year [3] - Strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals is crucial for Laos to provide stable support for the economy and ensure long-term resilience [3]