This morning, three FICIL’s representatives gave an interview about the Sentiment Index results. Zlata Elksniņa-Zaščirinska, the Chairperson of the FICIL Board, commented at LTV1 Morning Panorama (Rīta Panorāma) about the long-standing social and economic reforms that are urgently needed. These reforms require political will, consistent funding, new technologies, processes and people that can implement them. To ensure successful implementation of these reforms, the public administration should lower its dependence on EU funding and stimulate digitalisation to become more efficient. Lastly, Zlata highlighted importance of the long-term economic development strategy for the investors. The government should define what and how the country will achieve.
Arnis Sauka, SSE professor and FICIL member, while giving an interview to the TV3 show “900 seconds” indicated that the Sentiment Index research findings are not designed to criticise the government, but to help the policymakers identify issues that are critical for the investors and entrepreneurs in Latvia. This year’s research results highlight that Latvia is falling behind on indicators that are related to development, such as innovation ecosystem, infrastructure, education, technologies and productivity. In addition, other Baltic States provide more measures to attract investment, have a more efficient public administration and more impactful policies. What is urgently needed is to invest in science and education, simultaneously fighting the shadow economy. 
Jānis Grants, the FICIL Board Member, discussed the shadow economy, administrative and human capital challenges at Latvijas Radio programme “Good morning” (Labrīt). He pointed to the duplication of efforts, poor communication between many public sector institutions, and a lack of result-oriented KPIs at these institutions. In view of the foreign investors, the bureaucratic apparatus in Latvia should be reduced. Despite existing challenges, Jānis stressed that the foreign investors have a good collaboration with the government and trust that progress will be achieved. The foreign investors are willing to point to the areas that need attention to support the policymakers.
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