Approximately a month ago, the Latvian Parliament (Saeima) rejected a proposed amendment to the Criminal Law, which aimed to introduce criminal liability for illegal agreements between companies, such as price-fixing in public procurement. These amendments were intended to combat cartels and improve the efficient use of state and municipal resources. FICIL, KNAB, and other institutions argue that such offenses require stricter penalties than the current administrative fines, as they would help deter violators, ensure fair competition, and provide goods and services to the public at market prices. 

To raise awareness of the problem and the necessity of these amendments, KNAB and the organization “Transparency International Latvia – Delna” are organizing an online discussion. The discussion will review the current situation regarding the fight against illegal agreements and assess whether the administrative penalty is sufficient or if criminal liability should be introduced for such violations in public procurement. 

From FICIL, Māris Butāns, the Head of the Fair Competition and Public Procurement Working Group, will participate in the discussion, representing the foreign investors’ perspective on the importance of a fair and transparent business environment in Latvia. Other high-level officials and experts will also participate, including KNAB Deputy Chief Ineta Cīrule, “Delna” Director Inese Tauriņa, Chairman of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee Andrejs Judins, Chairman of the Competition Council Juris Gaiķis, Prosecutor General Juris Stukāns, Director-General of the Latvian Employers’ Confederation Kaspars Gorkšs, and Attorney Katrīne Pļaviņa-Mika from the law firm “Sorainen Latvia.” 

The discussion will be available live on the Zoom platform and social media, providing the public with the opportunity to follow important debates on competition law and public procurement violations. More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/507807202017453.