Internet stores continue becoming more and more popular among residents. The number of transactions using Visa payment cards issued by PrivatBank has grown by 6.1% YoY in the first six months of 2017, according to data compiled by PrivatBank. January and March were the hottest months for Internet shopping in this year’s six-month period. The…
Compared to July 2016, construction costs increased by 1.7%. Labor remuneration of workers grew by 4.4%, prices of building materials increased by 1.3%, while maintenance and operational costs of machinery and equipment rose by 0.5%. Compared to June, the level of construction costs in Latvia increased by 0.1% in July. Labor remuneration of workers increased…
Every fourth Latvian resident considers reducing the amount of meat in their diet or becoming a vegetarian or vegan, as stated in the latest Maxima survey. What is particularly interesting is that the largest proportion of such residents is found in Riga and Latgale. At the same time, 55% of respondents have no plans to…
The price of butter in Latvia has reached its maximum, said Competition Council chairman Skaidrite Abrame. “Prices in Latvia have definitely reached the peak. Alternatives for imports of cheaper butter are being considered,” Abrama said, adding that butter in Estonia was at least 20-30% cheaper. Abrama also notes that prices for butter have grown considerably…
The European Commission has approved Riga’s tramway infrastructure development project. As part of this project, it is planned to build the 3.5 km Skanstes tramline, which will cost EUR 97.4 million, as reported by Rigas satiksme representative Viktors Zakis. The project involves the construction of a 3.6-km tramline on Pernavas Street – Sencu Street –…
Pressure on the increase of costs in the next several years will be enormous, and there are worries about the government’s ability to withstand that, said Fiscal Discipline Council’s member Andzs Ubelis. According to him, the government’s recently approved outlook on economic growth this year of 3.7% is realistic and satisfactory. Latvia’s economy is expected…
Poor households will gain very little from the recently approved tax reform. There is a large number of unemployed people, which will not the change with PIT, according to results of a study performed by Stockholm School of Economics in Riga and economic policy research center Biceps. At the same time, the reform does not…