Names: conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic conventional short form: Laos local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao local short form: none

Capital City: Vientiane

Population: 6,368,481 (July 2006 est.)

GDP Per Capita: $2,100 (2006 est.)

Currency: kip (LAK)

Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages

Total Area: total: 236,800 sq km land: 230,800 sq km water: 6,000 sq km slightly larger than Utah

Region: Asia

Industries: copper, tin, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism, cement

Agriculture: sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry

Resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

Labor Force: 2.8 million (2002 est.)
agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2005 est.)

Exports: $593.6 million (2006 est.)
garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin

Imports: $1.092 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods

Overview: The government of Laos, one of the few remaining official Communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% per year in 1988-2006 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive infrastructure. It has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications, though the government is sponsoring major improvements in the road system with possible support from Japan. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice, accounts for about half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from aid by the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in hydropower and mining. Construction will be another strong economic driver, especially as hydroelectric dam and road projects gain steam. Several policy changes since 2004 may help spur growth. In late 2004, Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing Laos-based producers to benefit from lower tariffs on exports. Laos is taking steps to join the World Trade Organization in the next few years; the resulting trade policy reforms will improve the business environment. On the fiscal side, a value-added tax (VAT) regime, slated to begin in 2008, will streamline the government's inefficient tax system.

_{CIA World Book}

In 2007 Missouri exported $13,879 in goods to Laos. This ranks Laos 189^th among the 223 international buyers of Missouri goods. Missouri exports to Laos increased from the previous year by 10,681 a change of 333.99. State exports to Laos have increased over the last 5 years by 13,879 a change of 433.99. Missouri exports account for .00%. of all 2007 US exports to Laos.