Current problems in Europe are the same as in Latvia – energy, bureaucracy and taxes, the president of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Aigars Rostovskis, said at the organisation’s annual meeting on Thursday.
The LCCI is a member of the Association of European Chambers of commerce and Industry, Eurochambres, and Mr Rostovskis was recently elected as the organisation’s vice president.
In advance of last year’s European Parliament election, Eurochambres released a manifesto, “Back to Business,” with the aim of strengthening the European economy.
That is a key issue because “even the defence sector needs money, but before you have money, you need business,” Rostovskis told his audience. He added that Eurochambres is calling on politicians to reduce administrative burdens and to make the business environment more accessible. This includes reducing bureaucratic obstacles that hinder the ability of companies to expand across European markets.
The LCCI president also noted that education is a major issue all over Europe. “What is currently offered by the education system is not what is needed by business,” he said.
Rostovskis said that 2025 will be a year of security, because “without security, everything else is far less important.”
The president went on to note that after pressure from business organisations, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina has launched a “government reset” in which one key priority will be a reduction in bureaucracy.
Rostovskis was asked by Silina to serve as co-chairman of a task force for cutting red tape. The director of the State Chancellery, Raivis Kronbergs, will be the second co-chairman. The task force has been charged with compiling a list of problems reported by the business community by April 14, at which time the list is to be submitted to the government.
“That will be the moment of truth,” Rostovskis says. “We will see whether the government can act quickly enough to address 10 to 15 issues.” He promised that if the government does take action, then he will continue to work as a member of the task force. If not, Rostovskis will quit.
The LCCI head told his audience that 2024 was the most successful year in the organisation’s history in economic and financial terms. The agency brings together nearly 6,000 members – micro, small, medium and large enterprises from all regions and all industries in Latvia. Other members include professional associations, city business clubs and other business organisations.
Source: BNS
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