Inflation in Laos remains high in July

VIENTIANE, July 29 (Xinhua) — Despite the Lao government’s efforts to address rising prices and inflation, the inflation rate in the Southeast Asian country remained high at 26.1 percent in July.
According to a report released by the Lao Statistics Bureau on Monday, the highest price rise in July was recorded in the medical care and medicines category, which stood at 39.9 percent year-on-year.
Others driving inflation included the hotel and restaurant category at 34.4 percent, the household goods category at 30.1 percent, and the alcohol and tobacco category at 29.4 percent.
On July 2, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone issued a decision on the establishment of an ad-hoc committee to study and address rising goods prices and inflation in the country.
The Lao government will further coordinate with related sectors to effectively tackle rising inflation and foreign exchange rates in order to reduce their impact on the price of goods. ■