On 27th of February, Foreign Investors’ Council in Latvia (FICIL) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), during which FICIL members elected four Executive Board members. These are Mindaugas Rakauskas, CEO of TV3 Group Latvia, Lasse Henritius, Deputy Chairman of the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Latvia and a Managing Director of Scandicorp, as well as, two re-elected Board members – Māris Vainovskis, Senior Partner at Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns, and Juris Antužs, CEO and Country Manager of Enefit Green.
The remaining four Board members will continue their work as part of FICIL’s Executive Board: Zlata Elksniņa-Zaščirinska, Country Managing Partner at PwC Latvija, Reinhold Schneider, Chairman of the Board at Schwenk Latvija, Liene Dubava, CEO of Nasdaq Riga, and Jānis Grants, Chairman of the Board of DPD Latvia.
On March 14, the FICIL Board elected Reinhold Schneider as the new Chairperson of the Executive Board, succeeding Zlata Elksniņa-Zaščirinska. With extensive experience in business leadership and industry development, Reinhold has been a dedicated advocate for investment, sustainability, and regulatory improvements. In addition, Zlata Elksniņa-Zaščirinska and Māris Vainovskis have been appointed as Vice Chairpersons, bringing valuable expertise and continuity to the board. Together, this leadership team will guide FICIL’s efforts in fostering a stronger, more forward-looking business environment.
“We are facing geopolitically turbulent times at the moment. Things we took for granted are no longer secure. We need a strong Europe, and we need a strong Latvian voice in Europe. I believe there is a strong correlation between a positive investment climate, the investment of foreign companies in Latvia, and the strength of Latvia itself. Foreign investments are a clear sign that Europe believes in the importance of Latvia, sees Latvia as a secure, stable, and resilient country and society.
Our focus topics will continue to be energy security and new opportunities arising from the green transformation, labour force availability, and the reduction of the shadow economy. Additionally, we see a strong defence sector as an important goal. All of the above aligns with the need to reduce bureaucracy and related government spending, which can be achieved through public sector reforms and digitalization.
Our FICIL working groups are focused on these objectives and are highly active, providing well-thought-out and balanced input to the government.
We will be the strong voice of foreign investors in Latvia and, at the same time, a critical friend and partner for the public sector, driving positive change in the business environment to foster security and attract further investments in Latvia.”
–Reinhold Schneider, Chairperson of the Board.
More information about the new FICIL Board members can be found below.
Mindaugas Rakauskas
CEO, TV3 Group Latvia
Mindaugas Rakauskas, CEO of TV3 Group Latvia, has shaped the Baltic media landscape with expertise in market dynamics and regulation. Transitioning to Bite Latvia in April, he brings valuable telecommunications and digital sector knowledge. As a newly elected FICIL Board member, he aims to enhance Latvia’s investment appeal through transparency and regulatory improvements.
Lasse Henritius
Managing Director of Scandicorp
A seasoned board professional with extensive experience across the Nordic region, Lasse Henritius brings strategic expertise to FICIL. Serving as a board member or chairman for 28 international companies, his leadership spans finance, technology, manufacturing, and trade. As Vice Chairman at the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Latvia, he actively strengthens economic ties between Latvia and the Nordic countries. Having lived in Latvia for over six years, he understands the local business landscape and foreign investor challenges. Committed to improving Latvia’s investment climate, he advocates for policies that enhance its global appeal.
Māris Vainovskis
Senior Partner, Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns
A respected figure in the legal and business communities, Māris Vainovskis has played a key role in shaping Latvia’s regulatory and investment environment. As a Senior Partner at Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns, he advises companies on legal frameworks, corporate governance, and capital markets. His work in real estate legislation, capital markets, and judicial efficiency has been instrumental in improving the business environment. An active FICIL member, he advocates for reducing bureaucracy and enhancing transparency. His re-election underscores his commitment to fostering a competitive and innovation-driven investment climate in Latvia.
Juris Antužs
CEO and Country Manager at Enefit Green
Juris Antužs, CEO and Country Manager of Enefit Green, is a key advocate for Latvia’s renewable energy sector, emphasizing sustainability, energy security, and responsible growth. His expertise in energy policy and market development makes him a vital asset to FICIL, particularly as green investment gains importance. Re-elected to the Board, he remains committed to policies that ensure a stable and sustainable energy future.