Laos’ central bank plans to maintain stringent controls to stabilize the value of the kip and alleviate the burden of rising living costs. The country’s inflation rate remained high in March, standing at 40.97% YoY. The central bank will implement additional measures to ensure the kip’s value remains stable and the cost of living is maintained at an “acceptable” level. The bank will also continue to promote an environment that encourages foreign currency inflows into the economy while monitoring and preventing illegal currency exchange and curbing the rising cost of living, which is particularly challenging for low-income individuals.