Latvian government approves new action plan

RIGA – On Feb. 7, Valdis Dombrovskis’ (pictured) Cabinet of Ministers approved its plan of objectives to be completed by the next Saeima elections, reports LETA.

There are 645 tasks on the list altogether, grouped into six priority areas: development of human capital, development of innovative and effective economy, efficient preservation of territorial administration and environment, public administration, cultural area, promoting Latvia's image in the world. The list also provides for results that the government wishes to achieve.

For instance, in the "Innovative and Effective Economy" area, the government resolves to bring about that Latvia is among 50 top countries in the Global Competitiveness Report by 2014, whereas in the "Administration" chapter, the government wants to elevate Latvia to top 20 countries in the "Doing Business Report" by 2014.

In the cultural area, the government wants for the proportion of creative industries, including culture, in exports to be 2 percent, that culture and recreation consumption by households increase, that more people attend cultural events and that more are involved in one of the traditional arts.

The action plan emphasizes maintenance of a stable, predictable and investment-friendly business environment, protection of Latvia's interests in work on the European Union's budget for 2014-2020, and measures for improving the demographic situation.

By July 1, the government will draw up a new tax policy strategy to provide businessmen and residents a clear picture of the planned tax changes from 2013. The government will continue reducing the administrative burden by expanding the scope of e-government services and continuing work on attracting more investments to Latvia, as well as encouraging Latvia's exports and therefore creation of new jobs and larger incomes of companies and residents.

The government also wants to achieve fairer distribution of direct payments from the EU multi-annual budget for 2014-2020, and sufficient funding for cohesion projects of Latvia, bringing Latvia closer to the other EU member states.

As for demographic problems, the government wishes to improve access to kindergartens and introduce state-funded treatment of infertility.

The government also plans to improve management of state-owned companies, pay more attention to regional development, particularly Latgale.

The plan also deals with upgrading the judicial system and modernization of courts' equipment, and improving the insolvency process.

As reported, the third government of Dombrovskis marked 100 days in office on Feb. 1.