Entrepreneurs are the ones generating wealth for Latvia - PM Karins

RIGA - Entrepreneurs are the ones generating wealth for Latvia by paying taxes and thus sustaining various spheres of the public sector, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) said in an interview with Latvian Radio on Thursday. 

Responding to the criticism of his earlier remarks that "society cannot support business indefinitely, especially if there is no demand for such business", the prime minister said that he has probably been misunderstand. 

"I apologize, if somebody has misunderstand something or if I have probably said something wrong. I have interviews almost every day," Karins said.  

Aigars Rostovskis, President of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), and the Union of Greens and Farmers demanded an apology from Karins after the prime minister's remarks in an interview that Latvia's society is sustaining businesses. 

In an interview with Latvian Television on Wednesday, Karins said that Latvia's society  cannot support business indefinitely, especially if there is no demand for such business.

The prime minister said that demand and public behavior are changing, and consumers have developed different habits after two years of Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, Karins reminded that the government has been supporting the sectors that have been forced to suspend operations due to Covid-19 restrictions.