Latvia: job cuts expected

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…

Latvia: rapid increase of excise tax to cause dramatic rise of smuggling activity

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…

Turkmenistan: Ashgabat and Bishkek mull prospects of trade, economic cooperation

Presidents of Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Almazbek Atambayev, during a phone conversation confirmed the existence of great potential for enhancing relations on a wide range of areas. In this regard, the sides noted the expediency of joint work on the issues of expanding the range of mutually supplied goods and services, creating conditions…