Recent Events and Developments in Laos
Laos assumed the ASEAN chair in 2004 and hosted the annual ASEAN summit in November. 2005 brought further economic cheer to the Laotians with the US easing its punitive import taxes and resuming normal trade ties.


Laotian communist regime obtained World Bank loan in 2005 for the construction of the Nam Theun hydroelectric dam project meant for generating electricity for export. However the project faced protests owing to its adverse environmental impact.

Choummaly Sayasone succeeded Khamtay Siphadone as Laos President in 2006 and in the same year more than 400 members of the pro-US Hmong ethnic group, who had been living in the jungles since 1975, surrendered to the Laotian authorities.

In 2007 the US prosecuted nine people including the former General Vang Pao of plotting a coup in Laos, however a California court ordered his release. The Laos government took measures to further open-up its economy in 2008 by taking initial steps to become a full member of the WTO. The Laos economy has recorded an impressive 6% plus GDP growth rate since 1988.

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Laos Latest News

World Bank forecasts China recovery this year - 07 Apr 2009
, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and the island economies of the Pacific

Indian activist wins Stockholm Water Prize - 25 Mar 2009
;Sulabh is planning to work in Ethiopia, Cambodia, Laos, Angola, Madagascar

A quarter of the world's land area is degrading, reveals study - 22 Mar 2009
per cent degrading) Swaziland; in Asia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos

Thailand to bring all ASEAN nations in fight against tobacco - 19 Mar 2009
countries like Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, Vietnam and many countries already have

Chinese lawyer's family makes dramatic escape: Report - 13 Mar 2009
, which has no border with China but is accessible via Laos or Myanmar.    

Asean-India free trade agreement expected for summit - 25 Jan 2009
;  Asean comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar

Descendant of Lao royalty sells family jewels for charity - 22 Jan 2009
from Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal and Vietnam to pursue religious studies... of land-locked Laos.   When Laos opted for communist rule in 1975, Soymala

Laos confident national stadium will be ready for SEA Games - 30 Dec 2008
Bangkok, Dec 30 (DPA) Laos, which will host the South-East Asia (SEA) Games...;  Land-locked Laos, one of South-east Asia's poorest countries... in mid-November.   To help Laos prepare for the games, China has provided

Canada hails Asean charter as 'a new chapter' - 16 Dec 2008
;The charter was signed by the 10 member nations - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos

Asean charter comes into force - 15 Dec 2008
, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore

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