Laos' inflation declines to 7.4% in June

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of Lao capital Vientiane. The highest price rise was recorded in the housing, water, electricity and gas category at 20.1 per cent. - Phoonsab via Vientiane Times/ANN

VIENTIANE: Inflation in Laos eased to 7.4 per cent in June, down from nine per cent in the previous month, according to the Lao Ministry of Finance.

According to the ministry's report on Friday, the highest price rise was recorded in the housing, water, electricity and gas category at 20.1 per cent.

This was followed by the cost of education at 12.3 per cent, the medical care and medicines category at 11.8 per cent, and the communications and transport category at 11.6 per cent.

The government aims to maintain monetary stability while supporting economic growth. It will continue using monetary policy tools, including the issuance of the Lao central bank, the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) bonds and exchange rate management measures, to help curb inflation. - Xinhua