Laos sees fourth month of trade deficit, as Lao kip hits record low

Image from Laotian Times

VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): Laos experienced four consecutive months of trade deficits from January to April this year. This situation has been exacerbated by rising inflation rates, leading to a record depreciation of the national currency, the Lao Kip.

In April, Laos recorded a two-way trade total of US$1.122 billion, with exports amounting to US$462 million and imports totaling US$660 million. This marks a trade deficit of US$198 million, the highest of the year and continuing a four-month streak of deficits for Laos. Data for May and June are yet to be released.