Japan has provided grant assistance of USD 17,400 to support a new water supply project in Phongsaly Province, aimed at improving access to safe and hygienic water for local residents.
The funding, provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), will support the construction of a water supply facility in Meuteun village, helping improve sanitation and living conditions for the community.
Japanese Ambassador to Laos, Koizumi Tsutomu, signed the grant agreement with a representative of the provincial authority in the presence of Santi Keoyasan, Chairman of the Phongsaly Provincial Administrative Committee.
“In Laos, access to safe and hygienic water has improved in recent years, and it is said that around 90 percent of the population now has access to safe and hygienic water,” Ambassador Koizumi said.
“On the other hand, there is still room for improvement in remote areas such as Meuteun village. I hope that the construction of the water supply facilities will be completed quickly and that the living environment in Meuteun village will be greatly enhanced by expanded access to safe, hygienic water along with improved sanitation.”
The GGP program supports small-scale projects that directly benefit local communities by strengthening social and economic development in developing countries, including Laos.
Japan has provided more than USD 860,000 in assistance to Phongsaly Province to support the health and education sectors. Officials said Japan will continue supporting initiatives that improve basic living conditions and address regional development gaps across Laos.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/★WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-04-at-13.32.27-2.jpeg8381116Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2026-03-07 10:41:592026-03-10 10:51:21Japan Supports Water Supply Improvements in Phongsaly Province
Laos has made progress in stabilizing its economy after a period of high inflation and exchange rate pressure, but significant risks remain, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In its 2025 Laos report, the IMF noted that tighter monetary and fiscal policies introduced in the second half of 2024 helped stabilize the economy.
Inflation, which peaked above 30 percent in 2023, declined sharply to around 7.7 percent in 2025, while pressure on the Lao kip eased.
Economic growth is expected to remain relatively steady at around 4.5 percent until the end of 2026, supported by electricity exports, a recovery in tourism, and continued foreign direct investment.
Debt Risks Persist
However, the IMF cautioned that Laos remains vulnerable to external shocks due to high external debt, limited foreign reserves, and structural weaknesses in the financial sector.
Public debt remains the country’s most significant economic risk, according to the organization.
According to IMF data, public debt declined from 112 percent of GDP in 2022 to 80.6 percent in 2025, following debt restructuring, negotiations with creditors, and tighter fiscal policies.
If fiscal discipline and economic reforms continue, the IMF projects public debt could fall further to 57.4 percent of GDP by 2030, down from an estimated 75.7 percent in 2026.
However, the organization cautioned that current debt levels remain well above international sustainability thresholds, meaning Laos could face renewed financial pressure if economic conditions weaken or borrowing rises again.
To reduce these risks, the IMF recommended maintaining strong primary budget surpluses of around 2.5–3 percent of GDP, strengthening tax collection, and adopting a clear medium-term debt management strategy.
The organization also called for greater transparency in public debt data and stronger oversight of state-owned enterprises, particularly in the electricity sector, which carries significant financial liabilities.
Phetthong Inthavong doesn’t talk about passion. His work speaks for itself. As the coordinator at the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife (LCTW), he’s on the front lines of Laos’ battle against the illegal wildlife trade.
His work involves rescuing animals like gibbons, bears, alligators, and deer, rehabilitating them, and eventually releasing them back into their natural habitats.
At LCTW, the focus is on saving lives, protecting ecosystems, and offering a future to species that are often forgotten or exploited.
Not a Zoo, but a Lifeline for Animals
At first glance, the LCTW center might seem like a zoo, with animals in enclosures and staff moving between them. But Phetthong is quick to point out that it’s far from that.
“A zoo operates on a business model, focusing on profits from visitors. Our center focuses on rehabilitating animals and returning them to the wild,” he explains. “Our enclosures are designed with their rehabilitation in mind, offering them more space, trees, and an environment closer to their natural habitat.”
Unlike a zoo, LCTW isn’t open to the public except by appointment, and there are strict rules about visiting. The center is dedicated to the health and recovery of the animals, not for entertainment purposes.
The Pitfalls of Buying Animals to Free Them
One of the key messages Phetthong emphasizes is the danger of purchasing animals to “free” them from captivity. Many, seeing a wild animal in a market, feel compelled to buy it in order to release it. But Phetthong argues that this only fuels the trade.
“Every time you buy an animal, you send a message that the trade works,” he says. “Even if your intention is good, it’s still supporting the traders. The only way to stop this cycle is to reduce demand.”
Instead, Phetthong encourages people to call the Wildlife Rescue Hotline at 1601 if they encounter an illegally trafficked animal. The team will work with the authorities to rescue and relocate the animals to proper rehabilitation facilities.
The Silent Threat of Wire Snares
While the visible trade is a problem, Phetthong is more concerned with a less obvious threat: wire snares. These cheap, easy-to-make traps are indiscriminate and deadly, often leaving animals trapped and suffering for long periods before being discovered.
“These snares are silent killers,” he says. “They’re hidden and can kill any animal that walks into them. We need to get to the communities, educate them, and stop this.”
LCTW works alongside local agriculture and environment offices to run awareness campaigns, especially targeting rural areas where the use of traps is common.
A Vision for the Future
By 2030, Phetthong wants to see fewer animals in rehabilitation at LCTW, and ultimately, he hopes the center will be empty, because all the animals will be safe and thriving in the wild.
“My ultimate expectation is that we won’t have wildlife hunting or trade issues anymore,” he says. “Ideally, the center will be empty because all the animals will be where they belong, in the wild.”
It’s a long road ahead, but Phetthong and his team are determined to make it a reality. Their work is slow and often challenging, but every step they take brings Laos closer to a future where wildlife is protected, and ecosystems are restored.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/614456187_1302210975282516_2091991540990492227_n.jpg10601600Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2026-03-05 09:04:002026-03-03 15:09:16Efforts Underway in Laos to End Illegal Wildlife Trade, Safeguard Ecosystems
Japan Supports Water Supply Improvements in Phongsaly Province
Japan has provided grant assistance of USD 17,400 to support a new water supply project in Phongsaly Province, aimed at improving access to safe and hygienic water for local residents.
The funding, provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), will support the construction of a water supply facility in Meuteun village, helping improve sanitation and living conditions for the community.
Japanese Ambassador to Laos, Koizumi Tsutomu, signed the grant agreement with a representative of the provincial authority in the presence of Santi Keoyasan, Chairman of the Phongsaly Provincial Administrative Committee.
“In Laos, access to safe and hygienic water has improved in recent years, and it is said that around 90 percent of the population now has access to safe and hygienic water,” Ambassador Koizumi said.
“On the other hand, there is still room for improvement in remote areas such as Meuteun village. I hope that the construction of the water supply facilities will be completed quickly and that the living environment in Meuteun village will be greatly enhanced by expanded access to safe, hygienic water along with improved sanitation.”
The GGP program supports small-scale projects that directly benefit local communities by strengthening social and economic development in developing countries, including Laos.
Japan has provided more than USD 860,000 in assistance to Phongsaly Province to support the health and education sectors. Officials said Japan will continue supporting initiatives that improve basic living conditions and address regional development gaps across Laos.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/03/05/japan-supports-water-supply-improvements-in-phongsaly-province/
International Monetary Fund Says Laos Economy Stabilizing but Risks Remain
Laos has made progress in stabilizing its economy after a period of high inflation and exchange rate pressure, but significant risks remain, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In its 2025 Laos report, the IMF noted that tighter monetary and fiscal policies introduced in the second half of 2024 helped stabilize the economy.
Inflation, which peaked above 30 percent in 2023, declined sharply to around 7.7 percent in 2025, while pressure on the Lao kip eased.
Economic growth is expected to remain relatively steady at around 4.5 percent until the end of 2026, supported by electricity exports, a recovery in tourism, and continued foreign direct investment.
Debt Risks Persist
However, the IMF cautioned that Laos remains vulnerable to external shocks due to high external debt, limited foreign reserves, and structural weaknesses in the financial sector.
Public debt remains the country’s most significant economic risk, according to the organization.
According to IMF data, public debt declined from 112 percent of GDP in 2022 to 80.6 percent in 2025, following debt restructuring, negotiations with creditors, and tighter fiscal policies.
If fiscal discipline and economic reforms continue, the IMF projects public debt could fall further to 57.4 percent of GDP by 2030, down from an estimated 75.7 percent in 2026.
However, the organization cautioned that current debt levels remain well above international sustainability thresholds, meaning Laos could face renewed financial pressure if economic conditions weaken or borrowing rises again.
To reduce these risks, the IMF recommended maintaining strong primary budget surpluses of around 2.5–3 percent of GDP, strengthening tax collection, and adopting a clear medium-term debt management strategy.
The organization also called for greater transparency in public debt data and stronger oversight of state-owned enterprises, particularly in the electricity sector, which carries significant financial liabilities.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/03/06/international-monetary-fund-says-laos-economy-stabilizing-but-risks-remain/
Efforts Underway in Laos to End Illegal Wildlife Trade, Safeguard Ecosystems
Phetthong Inthavong doesn’t talk about passion. His work speaks for itself. As the coordinator at the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife (LCTW), he’s on the front lines of Laos’ battle against the illegal wildlife trade.
His work involves rescuing animals like gibbons, bears, alligators, and deer, rehabilitating them, and eventually releasing them back into their natural habitats.
At LCTW, the focus is on saving lives, protecting ecosystems, and offering a future to species that are often forgotten or exploited.
Not a Zoo, but a Lifeline for Animals
At first glance, the LCTW center might seem like a zoo, with animals in enclosures and staff moving between them. But Phetthong is quick to point out that it’s far from that.
“A zoo operates on a business model, focusing on profits from visitors. Our center focuses on rehabilitating animals and returning them to the wild,” he explains. “Our enclosures are designed with their rehabilitation in mind, offering them more space, trees, and an environment closer to their natural habitat.”
Unlike a zoo, LCTW isn’t open to the public except by appointment, and there are strict rules about visiting. The center is dedicated to the health and recovery of the animals, not for entertainment purposes.
The Pitfalls of Buying Animals to Free Them
One of the key messages Phetthong emphasizes is the danger of purchasing animals to “free” them from captivity. Many, seeing a wild animal in a market, feel compelled to buy it in order to release it. But Phetthong argues that this only fuels the trade.
“Every time you buy an animal, you send a message that the trade works,” he says. “Even if your intention is good, it’s still supporting the traders. The only way to stop this cycle is to reduce demand.”
Instead, Phetthong encourages people to call the Wildlife Rescue Hotline at 1601 if they encounter an illegally trafficked animal. The team will work with the authorities to rescue and relocate the animals to proper rehabilitation facilities.
The Silent Threat of Wire Snares
While the visible trade is a problem, Phetthong is more concerned with a less obvious threat: wire snares. These cheap, easy-to-make traps are indiscriminate and deadly, often leaving animals trapped and suffering for long periods before being discovered.
“These snares are silent killers,” he says. “They’re hidden and can kill any animal that walks into them. We need to get to the communities, educate them, and stop this.”
LCTW works alongside local agriculture and environment offices to run awareness campaigns, especially targeting rural areas where the use of traps is common.
A Vision for the Future
By 2030, Phetthong wants to see fewer animals in rehabilitation at LCTW, and ultimately, he hopes the center will be empty, because all the animals will be safe and thriving in the wild.
“My ultimate expectation is that we won’t have wildlife hunting or trade issues anymore,” he says. “Ideally, the center will be empty because all the animals will be where they belong, in the wild.”
It’s a long road ahead, but Phetthong and his team are determined to make it a reality. Their work is slow and often challenging, but every step they take brings Laos closer to a future where wildlife is protected, and ecosystems are restored.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/03/03/efforts-underway-in-laos-to-end-illegal-wildlife-trade-safeguard-ecosystems/