## IMF Staff Completes 2024 Article IV Mission to Lao P.D.R.

_IMF News, May 29, 2024_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [IMF Staff Completes 2024 Article IV Mission to Lao P.D.R.](https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2024/05/29/pr-24189-lao-pdr-imf-staff-completes-2024-article-iv-mission)

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## Bibliographic details
- Published: May 29, 2024

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### Mission details
- IMF delegation led by Mr. Alasdair Scott, Mission Chief for Lao P.D.R.
- Location and timing: discussions in Vientiane from May 16 to 29, 2024.
- Press Release No. 24/189.
- The team held meetings with senior officials from the Bank of the Lao P.D.R., Ministry of Finance, and other government agencies, and with private sector representatives.
- End-of-Mission press releases convey preliminary findings of IMF staff teams; these views are those of 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.

### Macroeconomic assessment — findings
- Growth: “Notwithstanding solid growth this year, supported by the tourism and resources sectors, the economic situation remains very challenging.”
- Public finances and debt: “Despite fiscal consolidation, public debt remains elevated and government financing needs will increase.”
- Monetary and price developments: “Exchange rate depreciation continues and high inflation persists.”
- Policy actions noted: “The authorities’ reforms to bolster revenues are welcome, as are the initial steps to tighten monetary policy and improve monetary management, and plans to strengthen the financial sector.”

### Policy recommendations and IMF support
- The mission encourages the authorities to pursue additional:
  - fiscal policies to stabilize the macroeconomic situation;
  - monetary policies to stabilize the macroeconomic situation;
  - financial policies to stabilize the macroeconomic situation.
- The IMF “stands ready to provide policy advice and technical assistance.”

### Communications and media
- IMF Communications Department, MEDIA RELATIONS.
- PRESS OFFICER: Huong Lan 'Pinky' Vu
  - Phone: +1 202 623-7100
  - Email: MEDIA@IMF.org
- Social media: @IMFSpokesperson
- Note: The IMF Press Center is a password-protected site for working journalists.

*IMF Press Release No. 24/189 — May 29, 2024.*

---


## References

- [Lao People's Democratic Republic and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/LAO/index.htm)
- [IMF Policy Advice -- A Factsheet](https://www.imf.org/en/about/factsheets/imf-surveillance)
- [Press Releases](https://www.imf.org/en/news/searchnews)
- [PRESS CENTER](http://presscenter.imf.org/)
- [https://www.imf.org/en/home](https://www.imf.org/en/home)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2024/05/29/pr-24189-lao-pdr-imf-staff-completes-2024-article-iv-mission_