Photo author: Ilmārs Znotiņš, Chancellery of the President of Latvia

The event showcased the findings of the study conducted by Professor Arnis Sauka, "Large Exporting and Innovative Companies in Latvia: Views on Competitiveness and the Business Environment." President Edgars Rinkēvičs emphasized the need for the study to lead to real actions that benefit Latvian businesses, rather than being just another discussion without results.

Conducted in 2024, the study systematically identified major challenges faced by Latvia’s largest exporting companies in innovation, productivity, bureaucracy, cooperation, export capacity, and human capital.

Based on interviews with owners and senior executives from 64 of these companies, the study provides an in-depth view of key elements critical to Latvia’s business environment and the competitiveness of its companies. Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Economics, the study also offers proposed solutions for improving the situation in these areas.

The Commission plans to implement the findings through four main directions in 2025:

  1. Simplifying conditions for accessing state and EU investment programmes by reducing excessive bureaucracy.

  2. Enhancing collaboration between universities and the private sector, including reviewing academic motivation systems and promoting private funding for research.

  3. Reducing reporting burdens by improving the "submit once" principle and coordinating data requests across major public institutions.

  4. Improving communication between the private sector and government institutions, such as proposing personalized consultants for major taxpayers and streamlining information exchange between the Tax and Customs authorities.

The summary and presentation slides of the study are available here in Latvian.

The State Competitiveness Commission, established in October 2023, aims to strengthen Latvia’s competitiveness in education, science, and business. It includes Arnis Sauka, Agnese Veckalne, Andris Šutka, Arkādijs Zvaigzne, Daunis Auers, Elīna Pajuste, Guntars Kittenbergs, Kristīne Bērziņa, Liene Briede, Sanita Mertena, Uldis Biķis, and Vita Rovīte.