STORY: Laos' inflation eases slightly to 24.92 pct in April
SHOOTING TIME: May 2, 2024
DATELINE: May 3, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:26
LOCATION: Vientiane
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of a bank in Laos
2. various of a road in Laos
3. various of a market in Laos

STORYLINE:

Laos recorded an inflation rate of 24.92 percent in April, a slight decrease from 24.98 percent in March, the Lao Statistics Bureau said on Monday.
   
According to the report released by the Lao Statistics Bureau on its website, the unstable price of fuel, gas and other imported goods, together with the depreciation of the Lao currency kip, are among the main drivers of the inflation.
   
The highest price rise in April was recorded in the clothing and footwear category, which stood at 37.62 percent year-on-year.
   
Other categories included medical care and medicines at 36.09 percent, alcohol and tobacco at 28.52 percent, household goods at 27.08 percent, and communications and transport at 25.99 percent.
   
Laos' economy is exposed to external shocks and disruptions as it is heavily dependent on imported goods for domestic consumption, which leads to economic fragility.
   
At a nationwide meeting of the finance sector 2023, which took place in the Lao capital Vientiane in December last year, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith vowed to transform the economy by guiding it towards independence and Lao ownership, so as to make it more resilient.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Vientiane.
(XHTV)