The Strategic Management Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposals put forth by the Ministry of Economics to reduce the administrative burden in the construction sector. The Ministry consulted various partners, including FICIL, when preparing these proposals. FICIL has been actively involved in various working groups aimed at identifying proposals to limit administrative burdens and has been represented by Ilze Kramiņa, FICIL expert in Construction, Dace Cīrule, FICIL Energy & Green Economy Development work group leader, and Reinis Āzis, Public Sector Reform work group leader.
“I am delighted with the collaborative efforts we undertook with the Ministry of Economics, as well as with other private sector and NGO partners. The Ministry has devised a comprehensive plan that, when realised, could expedite the real estate development and construction processes in Latvia. FICIL has long advocated for reducing administrative burden, and the initiative to reduce this burden is a step in the right direction to improve the overall investment climate,” comments Ilze Kramiņa, FICIL expert in Construction (Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns).
FICIL’s recommendations were aimed at simplifying administrative processes throughout the entire real estate development process. These included the need to clarify the legal framework, adopt improvements to the territorial planning processes by introducing dynamism, and recommendations to improve the environmental impact assessment procedures.
FICIL has previously called for reducing the administrative burden to foster a better investment climate for all businesses. In the area of infrastructure, FICIL has recommended reducing the administrative burden placed on infrastructure developers by laying down adequate requirements and using a long-term approach in planning and communicating infrastructure development plans.
The Ministry of Economics has prepared a total of 62 proposals in 5 key areas for the improvement of the administrative burden in construction.
Whilst the first step – accepting the recommendations has been taken, it is still important to continue the collaborative efforts. Institutions must continue to work together to translate the plan’s proposals into an action program and real amendments to regulatory acts. FICIL thanks its workgroup leaders and the Ministry of Economics for their dedication and efforts in reducing administrative burden for businesses.