Lao PM pushes for revenue reform on path to self-reliant economy

FILE PHOTO: Lao finance officials inspecting tax collection machines in 2023. Major changes to the way revenue is collected are central to creating economic self-reliance and sustaining long-term growth. - Vientiane Times/ANN

VIENTIANE: Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has outlined a far-reaching strategy to modernise revenue collection and strengthen fiscal discipline, reaffirming the government’s aim to build a self-reliant economy and ensure Laos becomes an upper-middle-income country by 2035.

Addressing the close of a national finance meeting on Friday (Jan 30), which summarised the progress made in 2025 and outlined directions for 2026, the Prime Minister said major changes to the way revenue is collected is central to creating economic self-reliance and sustaining long-term growth.