Vientiane, Jan. 7 -- Laos aims to achieve average economic growth of 6% or higher per year over the next five years, while accelerating the building of an independent and self-reliant economy, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has said.

Presenting the draft 10th five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan for the 2026-2030 period at the opening session of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) on January 6, the PM said the plan is designed to help the country graduate from least developed country (LDC) status in a substantive and sustainable manner, while laying a solid foundation for long-term development.

According to the Lao PM, Laos recorded average economic growth of only 4.24% over the pas...