VIENTIANE - Laos is aiming to achieve an upgrade from its least developed country (LDC) status at the United Nations to a middle income country by 2030 through strengthening international economic partnerships, including the promotion of tourism, a senior Laotian government official said on Friday.

LAOS NEEDS to spend about 30 per cent of gross domestic product on national socioeconomic development initiatives per year, a senior official has suggested.