ABSTRACT
The year 1989 saw consolidated advances in Laos especially within the economic sector, with many of the socio-economic reforms set in place since 1986 being further broadened. The number of private businesses and joint ventures increased markedly particularly within the capital city and the provincial towns of the more developed Mekong provinces. The year also saw the nascent development of tourism as the country for the first time since 1975 opened its doors to tourists in any significant number. Laos held a series of local elections from the end of 1988 to early 1989. The elections were purportedly to select local representatives and deputies to Supreme People’s Assembly. On the whole, general opinion about the elections was positive, as these elections for the first time since 1975 provided the populace with some sense of participation in a political process. The year saw Laos going full steam ahead with its economic restructuring, which yielded fairly positive results in the economic sphere.
