The Lao economy is projected to grow at 8 percent in 2013. The hydropower sector (both completed projects in operation and projects in the construction or development phase), construction, food processing, and services sectors remain the major contributors to this growth. Overall inflation has risen considerably since the end of 2012, due to a notable increase in non-rice food prices. The fiscal deficit as a ratio to gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to widen in FY2012-2013. Therefore, containing aggregate demand through fiscal and credit growth management is essential to maintain macroeconomic balances while exchange rate management needs to be measured given the pressures on reserves and competitiveness. As the banking sector continues to expand and credit growth remains relatively high, bank supervision capacity needs to be strengthened. Lao People's Democratic Republic's (PDR's) robust economic performance and expansionary fiscal policy calls for a bolder investment in social sector spending. This paper is divided into following two parts: part one gives recent economic developments
and part two presents sector focus.