The Ministry of Finance of the Lao PDR is aware of the difficulty in submitting the FY2021 financial statements due to the new wave of COVID-19 that is spreading. Thus, today the Minister of Finance issued Notice No. 0933/MoF to postpone the deadline for submission of the FY2021 financial statements to the accounting and tax […]

As online sales of goods and services continue to grow in the Lao PDR, accelerated by the impact of  the COVID-19 pandemic, which has kept most of us confined to our houses and pushed in-person businesses to move online in a bid to survive, the Lao government reacted swiftly to provide a legal framework to […]

In order to reduce and relieve the economic impact from the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Lao PDR, the Prime Minister’s Office has issued Notice No. 532/PMO dated 20 May 2021 (the “Notice”) specifying policies for further implementation by the relevant governmental authorities. 1. Tax policies Exemption from personal income tax for […]

On 10 May 2021, the Division of Health of Vientiane Capital (“DH.VTE”) issued Notice No. 378/DH (the “Notice”) requiring that those wishing to travel in and out of Vientiane Capital must apply for a permit from the COVID-19 Taskforce Committee to travel during the lockdown period up to 20 May 2021, or a further lockdown […]

With the recent drastic measures taken by the government of the Lao PDR to control the spread of COVID-19 in the community, the economy is in a precarious position as trade, investment, tourism, and growth have come to an indeterminate halt. As per the World Bank, the global economy could shrink by 1 per cent […]

On 29 March 2020, the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR issued Order No. 06/PM (“Order 06”) calling for suspension of all nonessential businesses effective from 30 March 2020 until 19 April 2020. The order prohibits all nonessential in-person communications and travel, and requires everyone, including government employees, business owners, and foreign workers, to stay […]

As the infectious coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) continues to spread rapidly, with more than 100,000 positive cases confirmed by the World Health Organization (“WHO”), employers are facing a major challenge, particularly concerning health and safety risks in the workplace, travel restrictions, sick leave and benefit entitlements, and risk of workplace discrimination. Although there is no confirmed […]