Lao National Assembly discusses important issues

Laos' economic growth reached 4.5% in the first quarter of 2025, with agriculture growing by 3.1%, industry by 4.7%, services by 4.7%, and customs revenue by 4.3%.

At the 9th Lao National Assembly's 9th session (Photo: qdnd.vn)
At the 9th Lao National Assembly's 9th session (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Vientiane (VNA) - The 9th Lao National Assembly (NA) opened its 9th session on June 9 under the chair of NA President Saysomphone Phomvihane, aiming to discuss national issues and review key contents in the 10th five-year Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026–2030).

The opening sitting saw the presence of Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, incumbent and former Party and State leaders, deputies, and representatives of international organisations and diplomatic missions in Laos.

In his opening speech, Saysomphone stated that during this session, the legislature will discuss and approve the Prime Minister’s report on the socio-economic development plan, budget plan, and financial–monetary plan for the first half of 2025, as well as the plans for the second half, associated with the implementation of two national programmes and urgent solutions to current economic issues.

It will also consider a consultation report on the draft 10th five-year Socio-Economic Development Plan, a report on policies to promote and encourage new-phase road construction and renovation, and another on the implementation of policies, laws, and other mechanisms in the development of electric energy.

Delivering the report on the implementation of the socio-economic development plan in the first five months of 2025, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said that the country’s economic growth reached 4.5% in the first quarter, with agriculture growing by 3.1%, industry by 4.7%, services by 4.7%, and customs revenue by 4.3%. All of these growth rates exceeded the targets set by the National Assembly’s resolution./.

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