Our Scans · Laos · Weekly Summary

• [New] Citizens of seven other countries - Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela - will be partially restricted. Counter Extremism Project
• [New] People from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela will face a partial restriction. Local News 8
• [New] An additional seven countries will have partial restrictions on travel to the U.S.: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Spectrum News NY1
• [New] There will be heightened restrictions on visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Yahoo News
• Economic instability and challenges in social services mean that Laos is in danger of losing gains it has made in poverty eradication, education, nutritional status, and other key human development indicators. World Bank
• Washington could ill afford another conflict in Southeast Asia given the challenges it was already facing in Laos and the growing trouble in South Vietnam. Foreign Affairs Magazine
• The threat from criminal networks in countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos is outpacing government efforts to mitigate it. PYMNTS.com
• Thai goods will face a tariff rate of 36%, the fifth highest in ASEAN, following Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Krungsri2020
• India For India, the significantly higher tariff rates imposed on countries like Vietnam, Myanmar, and Laos could present an opportunity, as companies look to re-route exports through India to the US. Nikko AM Global Site
• In what could potentially benefit India, most of its Asian peers, which are home to the global manufacturing supply chain, are set to face higher tariff rates, including 36% on Thailand, 32% on Indonesia, and 48% on Laos. The Indian Express
• Many countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia - including Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Sri Lanka - were hit by tariffs of over 40%, which could cripple their export-reliant and extremely vulnerable economies. CNN
• The new 1,350-metre bridge will enable easier travel between Laos and Thailand and spur trade with other countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Mekong Dispatch
• The Mekong Malaria Elimination programme is an initiative aimed at supporting Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries - Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Yunnan (China) - in achieving the goal of malaria elimination by 2030. World Health Organization
• Reductions in militancy have resulted in changes in risk ratings in parts of the Philippines, Thailand and Laos. London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
• Landlocked Laos faces challenges in decarbonizing its energy system and achieving its net-zero target by 2050, particularly regarding its reliance on hydropower. archyde
• Key government officials from ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam, will join industry experts and international stakeholders, reinforcing Hong Kong's status as a super-connector in global trade. China Business Forum
• All areas at risk of cyber fraud in northern Myanmar near the border with China have been reclaimed; in Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, there is cooperation to crack down on cyber fraud in their respective border areas including non-Chinese border areas (e.g., between Thailand and Myanmar). Modern Diplomacy
• Strong political will combined with the expertise of the Republic of India and WFP will open opportunities for the public and private sectors to enhance national capability to fortify rice and improve the diet of millions of people in Laos. Lao PDR
• The Thai government will continue to root out call center scam networks in neighbouring countries by collaborating with the governments of Cambodia and Laos following the success of the Myanmar case. https://vir.com.vn/
• Indonesia's GDP growth will outpace its rivals in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, and Laos. Market Business News
• In 2025 Vietnam will ban all e-cigarettes, aligning its full ban approach with Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, and Thailand. Law Society Journal
• Phnom Penh's future architectural marvel, Indonesia opens 2 new airports but demotes 17 international airports, a new airport in Laos, Manila's multiple airport projects, Bangkok plans for 200 million pax p. Future Southeast Asia

Last updated: 13 June 2025