FICIL High Council Meeting 2023

FICIL High Council 2023 was held on 2-3 November  

In November 2023, FICIL members and high-level public sector representatives met as part of the 27th FICIL High Council. First day was held at VERDE Business complex while the second – at the Cabinet of Ministers. During both days FICIL emphasised that in an ever-changing global landscape, Latvia must take action to cultivate an appealing investment climate that fosters economic transformation.  

On the forefront of High Council was economic development of Latvia for all, highlighting issues regarding workforce availability, good governance, shadow economy, fair competition, digitalisation, quality of legislation and legal environment, as well as climate and energy policies. Forementioned issues have been discussed in FICIL’s recently published position papers, offering recommendations in five priority areas: human capital, efficiency of public administration, rule of law, sustainable development, and level playing field.  

The 27th FICIL High Council Meeting kicked off on the 2nd of November with a FICIL members meeting joined by the Minister of Economics, Mr. Viktors Valainis.  
Discussion focused on labour force policy, construction sector, fair competition, energy sector and the current economic priorities. Mr. Valainis reassured that the Government is open and keen to maintain a dialogue, ensuring that Latvia is a place where businesses and investors can thrive. In the afternoon, FICIL held four hands-on work groups that were accompanied by policy-makers from different public sector institutions:  

• Human capital development (digital skills);  
• Data based decision-making (health data);  
• Public procurement process improvement (green and innovative components);  
• Good governance.  

On the 3rd of November, FICIL Board met with the Prime Minister and other representatives from the Cabinet of Ministers – Minister of Foreign Affairs Krišjānis Kariņš, Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens, Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis, Minister of Transportation Kaspars Briškens, Minister of Justice Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, Minister of Interior Rihards Kozlovskis, Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Inga Bērziņa, Minister of Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis, Minister of Education and science Anda Čakša. FICIL presented main recommendations to improve business climate and discussed ways to address the most pressing issues that businesses experience. During the meeting the Chairperson of FICIL Board, Zlata Elksniņa-Zaščirinska and the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa signed a joint communiqué outlining steps that the Government should take to improve Latvia’s competitiveness.