Latvian government has decided to support Agriculture Ministry’s proposed amendments that establish the order that admits companies and registers persons involved in circulation of animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption.

Baltic Association – Transport and Logistics will organize a press-conference in Bergs Hotel at 12:00 on Wednesday, 13 September. During this press-conference, representatives will tell about the industry’s action plan submitted to the government on specific objectives and terms. BATL also plans to ask Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis to take over talks with the industry, considering the dead end that has been reached with Transport Ministry and its minister Uldis Augulis.

In July 2017, Latvian foreign trade turnover amounted to EUR 2.04 billion, which at current prices was 14.4 % more than in July 2016, of which the exports and imports values of goods were 6.9 % and 20.5 % higher, respectively.

The tax reform provides for the transferring the tax burden to businesses and relieving owners of those businesses of payments. Under certain conditions, businesses will have to pay less taxes than before, says De Facto programme of LTV.

Parties of the ruling coalition agreed to support Agriculture Ministry’s proposal to reduce VAT from 25% to 5% for fruits, vegetables and berries characteristic for Latvia.

In August 2017, terminals working at Ventpsils port transshipped at total of 1.5 million tonnes of cargoes. This year’s cargo turnover, on the other hand, has reached 15 million tonnes, which exceeds last year’s volume by 17%, as reported by ventspilnieks.lv.

«Currently Europe’s electricity market is obstructed by too many and too different support mechanisms, mandatory procurements and existing barrier for trade between member states. As a result, competition is distorted and consumers are forced to pay more,» says MEP Krisjanis Karins.

Compared to July 2016, industrial production output increased by 8.8 % in July 2017. The rise recorded in manufacturing constituted 8.2 %, in mining and quarrying – 28.6 % and in electricity and gas supply – 7.7 %.

On Monday, 4 September, Latvia’s State Labour Inspectorate commenced inspections at different agriculture companies in relation to compliance with work safety requirements.

Compared to the first half of 2016, the volume of freights carried by land and pipelines increased by three million tonnes or 5.5 % in the first half of 2017.