IMF Staff Completes 2023 Article IV Mission to Lao P.D.R.

February 8, 2023

End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF's Executive Board for discussion and decision.

Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation led by Mr. Alasdair Scott, Mission Chief for Lao P.D.R., visited and conducted discussions with the authorities for the 2023 Article IV Consultation from January 26 to February 8, 2023. The team held constructive meetings in Vientiane with senior officials from Bank of the Lao P.D.R., Ministry of Finance, and other government agencies, and with private sector representatives. The discussions covered macroeconomic developments, prospects and challenges, and policies to further the progress of the Lao P.D.R. IMF Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura joined the concluding meetings with senior policy officials.

In 2022, the global fight against inflation has resulted in a difficult year for Lao P.D.R. This year, stronger economic activity in China in 2023 due to re-opening means greater demand for goods and services produced in Lao P.D.R., and more tourists coming to the country. At the same time, world inflation seems to have peaked. But the world economy and Lao’s economy are not out of the woods just yet, with risks to the global outlook remaining tilted to the downside.

We would like to thank the authorities for the excellent discussions and their support during the Article IV visit.

IMF Communications Department
MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Huong Lan Vu

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

@IMFSpokesperson