President of the National Assembly Mr Xaysomphone Phomvihane gives a speech at the close of the final session of the 9th Legislature.

NA closes with calls for revenue collection reform, urgent road upgrades

The National Assembly (NA)’s 9th legislature closed its final ordinary session on Friday, urging the government to tackle issues seen as crucial for the nation’s development, from revenue collection and road upgrades to social investment and environmental protection.
Presiding over the closing ceremony, National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane was joined by State President Thongloun Sisoulith and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
During the two-week parliamentary sitting, Assembly members proposed several priority measures to ensure that targets are achieved. They urged the government to improve revenue collection, especially from mining operations, and to address tax exemptions that reduce the government’s income.
According to the Assembly’s Resolution on the 2026 Socio-Economic Development Plan, tax revenue is projected to grow by 4 percent and account for 10.4 percent of GDP, with total state budget revenue expected to reach 83,600 billion kip.
This includes domestic revenue of 78,500 billion kip and 5,100 billion kip in foreign aid, while expenditure is planned at 81,400 billion kip.
The GDP growth target was set at a minimum of 5.5 percent, although this year’s growth rate is expected to fall short of 5 percent.
Sectoral projections for 2026 include growth of 4.6 percent in agriculture, 5.1 percent in industry and 6.6 percent in services, which will contribute 21.9 percent, 31.1 percent and 36.6 percent to GDP respectively.
Assembly members instructed the government to speed up the repair and construction of national highways, rural and border roads, and roads in remote communities.
They also highlighted the need to prevent the erosion of embankments along the Mekong and border rivers, and for better infrastructure at international checkpoints to support trade and ease of travel.
In the social sphere, the Assembly called for increased state funding for education, sports and public health. Members also urged improvements to school curriculums, skilled labour, and continued support for families whose actions brought merit to the nation.
They also asked the government to assist people affected by natural disasters and to restore damaged farmland.
The Assembly reviewed the national agenda to ease economic and financial difficulties from 2021 to 2025. Delegates praised the expansion of agricultural processing, production for import substitution, and export growth.
They recommended stronger forest restoration, realistic land registration targets, improved access to finance for small and medium enterprises, and tougher action against illegal smuggling and off-system trading.
Members also urged strict inspection of mining operations and full collection of revenue from land leases, concessions and mining operations.
In a press conference, the National Assembly Standing Committee said members had considered 14 priority issues and adopted eight resolutions covering development, fiscal policy, monetary policy, economic recovery, drug control, and the work plans of inspection bodies.
Members also reviewed election preparations for the 10th National Assembly and the fifth People’s Provincial Assemblies, due in early 2026.
The session marked the 50th anniversary of the National Assembly, with commemorative medals presented to members of the 9th Legislature. Public participation remained strong, with the hotline receiving 989 calls raising 525 issues that will be forwarded for further study.
Mr Xaysomphone said the resolutions approved will serve as a roadmap for the government to maintain national stability and steadily improve people’s living conditions.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update November 24, 2025)