Saeima committee supports bill to make data on companies doing business in Russia and Belarus public

RIGA - Saeima Defense, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee on Tuesday supported for the first reading in parliament amendments to the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians, tabled by MPs of the New Unity party, that would oblige the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) to publish data on Latvian-registered companies involved in trade with Russia and Belarus.

The committee also decided that Saeima would review the bill in two readings.

According to New Unity's proposal, in order to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia's armed invasion and its supporter Belarus, the CSB, in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 12(1) of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of October 9, 2013, establishing the Customs Code of the European Union (EU), is obliged to publish data on Latvian-registered commercial companies that export or import goods to or from Russia and Belarus, providing the identification number and name of the exporter or importer.

As regards information obtained about the exporters and importers from the tax administration, the confidentiality restriction stipulated by the Law on Taxes and Fees would not apply.

New Unity says that, since in accordance with government regulations the CSB is required to publish data on foreign trade statistics, the statistics authority should also be designated as the authority responsible for publishing the list of commercial companies exporting or importing goods to and from Russia and Belarus.

New Unity wants the law to take effect on the day after its promulgation.

As reported, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) has tasked the Ministries of Economics and Finance to publish the list of companies doing business in Russia and Belarus, but the ministries have hesitated to fulfill this instruction, citing legal obstacles.

Economics Minister Viktors Valainis (Greens/Farmers) told Latvian Television on Tuesday that the list of companies that continue to trade with Russia and Belarus has not changed significantly compared to the latest published data.

Previously, the opposition National Alliance had submitted a draft proposal to publish the list of companies involved in trade with Russia and Belarus.