On 14 June 2022, the Bank of the Lao PDR (the “BOL”) issued Decision No. 449/BOL (“Decision 449”) to manage currency exchange services provided by commercial banks and currency exchange bureaus operating in the Lao PDR. The purpose is to ensure the stability of the Lao Kip (“LAK”), which has weakened considerably against the U.S. dollar, and has been trading on the domestic market at a value below the BOL’s official exchange rate, and to close this exchange rate gap. Effective immediately, Decision 449 replaces Decision No. 109/BOL dated 1 February 2019.