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Business support - Latvia

Updated 11/2010

Helping businesses

           A number of professional and industrial associations and unions have been created in Latvia with the aim of providing assistance to businesses in various sectors. A number of state institutions providing assistance to businesses have been established in line with European Union guidelines.

Private organisations

           The Association of The Textiles and The Clothing Industry promotes the development of industry businesses by organising mutual cooperation and sector specialist training. It also helps establish contacts with businesses from other countries and issues licences to businesses confirming that exported goods have been manufactured in the Republic of Latvia.

  • The Association of The Textiles and The Clothing Industry latviešu

The Latvian Personnel Management Association (LPVA) is working towards uniting personnel management professionals with the aim of improving the efficiency of organisations and creating a people-oriented work environment in Latvia. Participation in social dialogue is not a priority.

The Latvian Freight Forwarders and Logistics Association (LAFF) is a public organisation uniting Latvian freight forwarders and customs warehouse keepers in order to represent the interests of freight forwarders and customs warehouse keepers in Latvia and abroad and promote the development of freight traffic and related services.

The Latvian Builders' Association (LBA) is an association of legal and natural persons working in construction, aiming to protect the interests of its members in the construction job sector, and deals with issues related to the economy, relations between employers and employees, and relations with customers.

  • The Latvian Builders' Association latviešu

The Latvian Quality Association (LKA) is a competence centre recognised in the Baltic region for areas associated with quality management. It acts as a partner to companies, their associations, public organisations and state institutions.

The Federation of Latvian Food Companies   (LPUF) is the only Latvian food processing multisector non-governmental organisation uniting companies and professional associations, updating manufacturers’ interests in all stages of the food chain, lobbying and representing manufacturers in state and non-governmental organisations, voicing the views of Latvian manufacturersin the development of international legislation, providing information and support to LPUF members.

The Latvian Wood Industry Federation promotes the development of the Latvian wood industry in cooperation with interested institutions by building a sustainable economic environment for the development of wood industry businesses and increasing their competitiveness.

When becoming a member of the Association of Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking Industries of Latvia a business gains access to extensive information and contacts with businesses both from the same sector and from other sectors. Through the association, business owners have the opportunity to discuss current issues with colleagues and submit suggestions to the Latvian government as well as to European institutions.

The Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LTRK) is a non-governmental, politically neutral organisation, uniting businesses from various sectors throughout Latvia. The organisation uses the global practice of chambers of trade and industry to create a business-friendly environment by studying and defending the business interests of Latvian enterprises and providing services that promote business activities.

The Latvian Chamber of Crafts (LAK) is a professional self-governing organisation of craftsmen promoting the development of trade and craftsmanship in the country by means of providing useful and applicable advice on various issues related to business development.

State organisations

The Ministry of Economics is responsible for defining and coordinating government policy on assistance to enterprises.

The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) provides information on starting and developing a business, available EU funded support programmes and international export opportunities.

The State Regional Development Agency   (VRAA) is, within the limits of its competence, implementing:

  • the establishment of activities financed by the State, European Union Structural Funds and other financial means;
  • regional development research;
  • Ensuring the operation of international secretariat programmes and information points.

The Agency's activities are dedicated not only to businesses in especially supported areas, but also to municipal and non-governmental organisations.

The Latvian Regions Development Portal attempts to provide a detailed insight into the regional investment environment, the economy, culture and other issues that could potentially be of interest to investors and businesses.

Other organisations

Information services providing contact information for market players in various industries by phone or online.

Access to finance is crucial for setting up and running a business.

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

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Further help

SOLVIT helps businesses deal with problems that arise when national authorities wrongly apply EU market rules.