Attapeu province’s economy expanded by 2.81 percent in the first half of 2025, but authorities say more work is needed to meet the full-year target of 5.4 percent.
Deputy Governor Thanouxay Banxalith reported the figures during the 9th Ordinary Session of the 2nd Provincial People’s Council on 7 August, noting that the province’s total economy is currently valued at about LAK 1,922 billion (USD 88.4 million), or roughly a quarter of the year’s goal.
Thanouxay said the average annual income per person in Attapeu now stands at LAK 21.9 million (USD 1,007). While some sectors have shown promising results, others are falling behind expectations, requiring stronger coordination in the months ahead.
Agriculture and Industry Lead Growth
According to the official, agriculture and forestry remain the province’s primary growth drivers, expanding by 3.64 percent and contributing 49.47 percent of total GDP. Dry-season rice production reached 63 percent of the annual target, with yields averaging 3 tonnes per hectare and totaling 1,519 tonnes.
Other dry-season crops achieved 56 percent of the goal, while meat, fish, and egg production stood at 52 percent. Cash crops such as watermelon, tobacco, cassava, and coffee also made notable contributions.
Industry grew by 1.85 percent, accounting for 22.32 percent of GDP. Thanouxay reported that processed goods were valued at LAK 513 billion (USD 23.5 million), reaching 20 percent of the annual target.
Electricity generation exceeded 2,196 gigawatt-hours, bringing in over USD 113 million, THB 10 billion, and LAK 14 billion in revenue. Mining also continued to play an important role, with active extraction of gold, silver, iron ore, and bauxite.
Services and Tourism Lag Behind
The provincial deputy governor noted that the services sector saw the slowest growth, at just 1.33 percent, making up 28.2 percent of GDP. Trade value surpassed LAK 8 trillion (USD 368 million), achieving 48 percent of the yearly target.
Tourism welcomed 71,677 visitors in the first six months of the year, which is 47 percent of the annual goal. Revenue from tourism reached LAK 33 billion (USD 1.51 million), or 52 percent of the yearly projection, according to the deputy governor.
To close the gap and meet the 2025 growth target, Thanouxay called for stronger collaboration between sectors, timely project implementation, and effective execution of policies outlined in the province’s socio-economic development plan.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Landscape-view-of-Attapeu-Province.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-08-18 09:00:002025-09-02 10:15:13Attapeu’s Economy Grows 2.8% in First Half of 2025
The Ministry of Education and Sports, in partnership with World Vision International Laos, has expanded its efforts to improve early childhood education in rural communities with the official launch of a new phase of a long-term learning initiative in Xonnabouly district.
The launch, held on 8 August, included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony and a start-up workshop, jointly organised by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Savannakhet Province and World Vision.
The second phase of the Improving Learning Outcomes for Early Childhood and Primary Education project will support children, parents, and schools in 10 remote villages.
The same day, officials from the Ministry visited Savannakhet to observe how the project is being implemented on the ground, as part of routine monitoring activities.
Tackling Barriers to Learning
The initiative, funded by World Vision International, aims to give children aged 3 to 5 a stronger start in school and improve reading and writing skills among pupils in Grades 1 to 3. The project also promotes safe, inclusive, and healthy learning environments.
Officials observed classroom activities in local preschools, reviewed teaching materials developed by community educators, and met with parents and local leaders.
Special attention was given to the inclusion of children with disabilities, as part of a broader commitment to education for all.
Two Phases, One Goal
Phase I of the project began with the signing of an MoU on 21 October 2022 in Attapeu Province. The first phase is being implemented in Sanamxay district, where 13 schools across 12 villages are receiving support.
Running through to September 2025, this phase benefits more than 11,500 people and is backed by USD 800,000 in funding.
Phase Two, which officially launched this month, will continue until September 2028.
It will support ten schools across ten villages in Xonnabouly district, reaching approximately 6,380 people.
With a total investment of USD 840,000, this phase builds on the successes of the first by placing greater emphasis on parental involvement and stronger school-community partnerships to make education more accessible and sustainable.
On 12 August, the world marks World Elephant Day, a day to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect these majestic creatures. In Laos, once known as Lane Xang – the “Land of a Million Elephants” – the elephant population has drastically declined.
Today, only 500 to 1,000 elephants remain, just one-third of the number from two decades ago. Conservationists warn that for every one or two elephants born each year in Laos, around ten die, putting the species at risk of disappearing from the country altogether.
Elephants continue to hold a special place as Laos’ national animal and a powerful cultural symbol.
Most wild elephants are found in the Nam Poui National Protected Area (NPA) in Laos’ northwestern Xayabouly Province, which spans 191,200 hectares across Phiang, Paklay, and Thongmixay districts along the Lao-Thai border.
This province also hosts the annual Elephant Festival, celebrating elephant heritage and promoting conservation efforts.
The Elephant Conservation Center in Xayabouly cares for the largest herd under human care in Laos, with over 25 elephants. Since the 2018 ban on illegal logging, many elephants once used in the timber industry have been redirected to tourism, while others have been sold to zoos, circuses, and breeders.
Global Elephant Population Under Threat
Globally, the situation is also critical. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants remain in the wild, including only 8,000 to 11,000 in Southeast Asia, where habitat loss, poaching, and human-elephant conflict continue to threaten their survival.
Worldwide, about 450,000 elephants remain.
Asian elephants have been classified as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 1986.
Every year, an estimated 20,000 wild elephants are killed for their ivory, hides, and other body parts.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Elephant-Festival-in-Laos-Xayabouly.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-08-16 09:30:002025-09-02 10:07:19World Elephant Day: Laos’ ‘Land of a Million Elephants’ Now Home to Just 500-1,000
Attapeu’s Economy Grows 2.8% in First Half of 2025
Attapeu province’s economy expanded by 2.81 percent in the first half of 2025, but authorities say more work is needed to meet the full-year target of 5.4 percent.
Deputy Governor Thanouxay Banxalith reported the figures during the 9th Ordinary Session of the 2nd Provincial People’s Council on 7 August, noting that the province’s total economy is currently valued at about LAK 1,922 billion (USD 88.4 million), or roughly a quarter of the year’s goal.
Thanouxay said the average annual income per person in Attapeu now stands at LAK 21.9 million (USD 1,007). While some sectors have shown promising results, others are falling behind expectations, requiring stronger coordination in the months ahead.
Agriculture and Industry Lead Growth
According to the official, agriculture and forestry remain the province’s primary growth drivers, expanding by 3.64 percent and contributing 49.47 percent of total GDP. Dry-season rice production reached 63 percent of the annual target, with yields averaging 3 tonnes per hectare and totaling 1,519 tonnes.
Other dry-season crops achieved 56 percent of the goal, while meat, fish, and egg production stood at 52 percent. Cash crops such as watermelon, tobacco, cassava, and coffee also made notable contributions.
Industry grew by 1.85 percent, accounting for 22.32 percent of GDP. Thanouxay reported that processed goods were valued at LAK 513 billion (USD 23.5 million), reaching 20 percent of the annual target.
Electricity generation exceeded 2,196 gigawatt-hours, bringing in over USD 113 million, THB 10 billion, and LAK 14 billion in revenue. Mining also continued to play an important role, with active extraction of gold, silver, iron ore, and bauxite.
Services and Tourism Lag Behind
The provincial deputy governor noted that the services sector saw the slowest growth, at just 1.33 percent, making up 28.2 percent of GDP. Trade value surpassed LAK 8 trillion (USD 368 million), achieving 48 percent of the yearly target.
Tourism welcomed 71,677 visitors in the first six months of the year, which is 47 percent of the annual goal. Revenue from tourism reached LAK 33 billion (USD 1.51 million), or 52 percent of the yearly projection, according to the deputy governor.
To close the gap and meet the 2025 growth target, Thanouxay called for stronger collaboration between sectors, timely project implementation, and effective execution of policies outlined in the province’s socio-economic development plan.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/08/11/attapeus-economy-grows-2-8-in-first-half-of-2025/
Education Ministry, World Vision Strengthen Early Childhood Education Efforts
The Ministry of Education and Sports, in partnership with World Vision International Laos, has expanded its efforts to improve early childhood education in rural communities with the official launch of a new phase of a long-term learning initiative in Xonnabouly district.
The launch, held on 8 August, included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony and a start-up workshop, jointly organised by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Savannakhet Province and World Vision.
The second phase of the Improving Learning Outcomes for Early Childhood and Primary Education project will support children, parents, and schools in 10 remote villages.
The same day, officials from the Ministry visited Savannakhet to observe how the project is being implemented on the ground, as part of routine monitoring activities.
Tackling Barriers to Learning
The initiative, funded by World Vision International, aims to give children aged 3 to 5 a stronger start in school and improve reading and writing skills among pupils in Grades 1 to 3. The project also promotes safe, inclusive, and healthy learning environments.
Officials observed classroom activities in local preschools, reviewed teaching materials developed by community educators, and met with parents and local leaders.
Special attention was given to the inclusion of children with disabilities, as part of a broader commitment to education for all.
Two Phases, One Goal
Phase I of the project began with the signing of an MoU on 21 October 2022 in Attapeu Province. The first phase is being implemented in Sanamxay district, where 13 schools across 12 villages are receiving support.
Running through to September 2025, this phase benefits more than 11,500 people and is backed by USD 800,000 in funding.
Phase Two, which officially launched this month, will continue until September 2028.
It will support ten schools across ten villages in Xonnabouly district, reaching approximately 6,380 people.
With a total investment of USD 840,000, this phase builds on the successes of the first by placing greater emphasis on parental involvement and stronger school-community partnerships to make education more accessible and sustainable.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/08/13/education-ministry-world-vision-strengthen-early-childhood-education-efforts/
World Elephant Day: Laos’ ‘Land of a Million Elephants’ Now Home to Just 500-1,000
On 12 August, the world marks World Elephant Day, a day to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect these majestic creatures. In Laos, once known as Lane Xang – the “Land of a Million Elephants” – the elephant population has drastically declined.
Today, only 500 to 1,000 elephants remain, just one-third of the number from two decades ago. Conservationists warn that for every one or two elephants born each year in Laos, around ten die, putting the species at risk of disappearing from the country altogether.
Elephants continue to hold a special place as Laos’ national animal and a powerful cultural symbol.
Most wild elephants are found in the Nam Poui National Protected Area (NPA) in Laos’ northwestern Xayabouly Province, which spans 191,200 hectares across Phiang, Paklay, and Thongmixay districts along the Lao-Thai border.
This province also hosts the annual Elephant Festival, celebrating elephant heritage and promoting conservation efforts.
The Elephant Conservation Center in Xayabouly cares for the largest herd under human care in Laos, with over 25 elephants. Since the 2018 ban on illegal logging, many elephants once used in the timber industry have been redirected to tourism, while others have been sold to zoos, circuses, and breeders.
Global Elephant Population Under Threat
Globally, the situation is also critical. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants remain in the wild, including only 8,000 to 11,000 in Southeast Asia, where habitat loss, poaching, and human-elephant conflict continue to threaten their survival.
Worldwide, about 450,000 elephants remain.
Asian elephants have been classified as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 1986.
Every year, an estimated 20,000 wild elephants are killed for their ivory, hides, and other body parts.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/08/12/world-elephant-day-laos-land-of-a-million-elephants-now-home-to-just-500-1000/