VIENTIANE, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Inflation in Laos dropped to 5.3 percent in July, down from 7.2 percent in June, according to the latest report from the Lao Statistics Bureau.
The highest price rise was recorded in the housing, water, electricity and gas category, which stood at 16.1 percent, according to the report on Wednesday.
This was followed by the medical care and medicines category at 14.6 percent, the household goods category at 10.1 percent, and the education category at 9.3 percent.
The Lao government has intensified efforts to control inflation by adopting more restrictive monetary policies.
In addition, the government is actively working towards building an independent and self-reliant economy, with a strong focus on optimizing revenue, controlling expenditure, and improving financial management. ■
