Despite Efforts to Stamp Out Corruption, Laos Remains Corrupt
Laos continues to struggle with rampant corruption despite recent efforts to eliminate it from the halls of government, according to the country’s State Audit Organization (SAO).
At a Lao National Assembly meeting earlier this month, the organization reported massive losses resulting from under-the-table deals made by officials in all levels of government.
“The SAO audited 51 organizations, 19 programs that received aid and grants, six state banks, and 23 state enterprises, discovering that almost U.S. $50 million was lost or unaccounted for in the 2018 budget,” said SAO President Viengthong Siphanhdone at the assembly on November 7.
