As part of the state administration reform, job cuts are planned for 58,000 employees of different institutions. This does not apply to independent institutions such as the prosecutor’s office, Saeima, State Audit and Supreme Court. The number of officials employed in Latvian state administration is higher than the average in the EU, as concluded in…
Compared to June 2016, total retail trade turnover rose by 3.1% in June 2017. Turnover of retail trade for food products increased by 1% and turnover of non-food products grew by 4.7%. The most significant growth in turnover in the non-food product group was recorded in retail sale of cultural and recreation goods (by 23.7%),…
Compared to May, the level of construction costs in Latvia increased by 0.2% in June. Labor remuneration of workers rose by 0.4%, prices of building materials grew by 0.2%, whereas maintenance and operational costs of machinery and equipment increased by 0.1%, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. Compared to June 2016,…
Farmers Saeima believes Latvia’s beef industry is not sufficiently developed, and existing farms have not been sufficiently stabilized – many farms have major debt. Because of that any kind of support for the industry is welcome. Considering the recently voiced information about the possible reduction of voluntary support for livestock in 2017, the Farmers Saeima…
Latvian Association of Regions proposes establishing micro-enterprise tax rate at 12% instead of 15%, as well as state that calendar year turnover for micro-enterprises is not to be reduced to EUR 40,000, as it is proposed by the government, but to be kept at the current restriction – under EUR 100,000. Of the 28 proposals…
The National Association for Tobacco Product Manufacturers (TIRNA) is confused about Finance Ministry’s submitted proposals for tax reform that provide for raising excise tax on cigarettes by 11% instead of previously planned 5.5%. TIRNA believes the submitted proposals are rushed, economically unjustified and will not secure the economy any major tax income. “Exactly the opposite…
Finance Ministry has plans to raise excise tax on alcoholic beverages and cigarettes even more rapidly, according to proposals prepared by the ministry to the Excise Tax Law. These proposals have been submitted to the Saeima for approval in the final reading. FM explains that it is necessary because there are plans to apply greater…