Laos’s inflation rate surged to 23.6% YoY in June from 12.6% in April, the highest reading since May 2000. According to the country’s statistics bureau, the highest surge in consumer prices was recorded in the communications and transport category at 55.5% YoY in June, followed by household goods at 22.3%. Meanwhile, the kip continued to depreciate despite the government’s measures to stabilize the currency exchange rate.