Suchergebnisse

In Latvia there is agroforestry, but it is not mentioned in local legislation. There are two main farming methods which could be also be classified as agroforestry, they are short rotation coppices and silvopastoral systems.

On August 21, 1991, following the failed Soviet putsch, the Latvian Supreme Soviet declared Latvia independent of the Soviet Union, beginning the process of building democracy. Like its two Baltic neighbors, Lithuania and Estonia, Latvia has enjoyed a happier transition to democracy and capitalism than other former Eastern bloc or Soviet republics. While disputes over policy, territorial boundaries, economic policy, and definition of citizenship have been problematic and while Latvia's economy bottomed out in 1992 and 1993, the country has enjoyed relative political calm and recent economic growth. While it may perhaps be early to talk about a stable, never-changing political system, Latvia's polity has come closer to institutionalization than other post-Soviet states except Estonia. Culturally Latvia is far from homogeneous--a potential political problem in the past, present, and future. According to official data, "Latvians" (ethnically defined) make up 57.7 percent of the population; Russians are 29.6 percent (a result of migration from other Soviet republics before 1991). The official language is Lettish ("Latvian"); Lithuanian and Russian are prevalent as well.

According to the Latvian Constitution (the Satversme), as well as, the Law On Referendum and on Legislative Proposals there are three types of popular votes in Latvia. In law theory these types are called: obligatory referendum, optional referendum and automatic referendum. All citizens of Latvia having the right to elect the Parliament (the Saeima) may participate in referendum and proposed laws.

Along with a more rapid economic growth tension can be observed in the Latvian labour market. Number of economically active population is decreasing because of negative natural increase of the population and emigration, while number of job vacancies is rising and labour shortages become more acute. As a result wages are rising rapidly, and it, in turn causes increase in production costs and negatively affects the competitiveness of domestic firms. Changes in productivity and labour costs from 2011 to 2016 show that the increase in labour costs exceeded productivity growth more than two times in the manufacturing as well in the total economy of Latvia. Convergence of labour costs is inevitable in the conditions of free labour movement (open labour market), thus further economic growth of Latvia will largely depend on its ability to reduce the productivity gap with the advanced economies. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the dynamics of labour productivity in Latvia and its level in comparison with the EU average, as well as to reveal the most important factors limiting productivity increase in Latvia. The tasks of the research is to determine the main factors that influence labour productivity in Latvia in last 10 years, to compare productivity levels in Latvia and other EU country and to evaluate the current policy measures to increase labour productivity in Latvia. Different quantitative and qualitative research methods are used in the analysis, for example analysis of scientific literature and economic policy planning documents, statistical data analysis methods, shift share analysis etc. The results of the research show that productivity growth rate in Latvia was one of the fastest in the EU during the last five years that enhanced productivity convergence with the advanced economies. Raise of the productivity level was mostly influenced by the improved business conjuncture and optimization of the number of employees at the sectoral/firms' level. Nevertheless, the contribution of structural ...

Latvia's Ministry of Finance requested the World Bank to collaborate on a review of the country's tax system as input for the design a medium-term tax strategy. The motivation behind the tax review is to find options to increase tax revenues by three percentage points of GDP to reach a target tax-to-GDP ratio of 33 percent in the medium term.1 In Latvia, tax revenues are lower than predicted for its income level and institutional development. Latvia's tax policy needs to be restructured to support economic development and raise living standards. The speed of convergence in Latvia to average income levels in the European Union (EU) was impressive until the 2008-2009 crisis, but since then output recovery has been fast but not rapid enough for real GDP to return to pre-crisis level. A critical challenge then is to boost productivity growth in the economy: the level of productivity is low relative to OECD economies and its growth has slowed notably since the crisis. Increasing labor productivity is particularly important if overall productivity is to rise: informality and inactivity reduce both labor activity and productivity. Increased investment in skills and good health are an important part of the labor productivity and participation story—particularly as Latvia rapidly ages. But reducing the reliance of the tax system on low-skilled labor is also a key policy challenge. Latvia's tax system puts substantially more of a burden on labor compared to capital or consumption. This is all the more concerning given that wages for much of the population are low and so the current flat income tax structure has implications for social inclusion and poverty. Inequality of (after-tax) disposable income in Latvia is one of the highest in the EU, with only Bulgaria, Romania and Lithuania having higher inequality. The tax system entails distributional choices and one of the objectives of the review is to look at options to improve the equity of the system. Here both vertical equity, i.e. taxing less those of lower income, and horizontal equity, i.e. taxing the same those in economically similar situations, are of importance. Governments are inevitably confronted with an equity-efficiency trade-off: higher taxes on the richer parts of the population, to raise revenue and to finance benefits for poorer groups, can distort the economic incentives for work, entrepreneurship, saving and risk-taking of middle- and higher-income individuals. At the same time, redistribution to low-income individuals, through tax credits or benefits, could weaken labor supply incentives. On the other hand, fairness, or equity is an important consideration for widespread acceptance and sustainability of the tax system.

The paper presents results of study aimed to evaluate issues of current development of bioenergy in Latvia, taking into account restrictions, which may affect future progress of main biomass sources. These restrictions are based on latest European Union (EU) regulations and recommendations; and worldwide concerns of scholars on sustainability, particularly environmental (e.g. biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, carbon sequestration) of bioenergy (biomass) development. The appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods have been used in the process of study. The results of examination suggest that biomass possesses one of the greatest potentials for further increasing renewables production, particularly in Latvia. The characteristics and perspectives of main biomass sources' development are assessed for compliance with the EU latest regulations, recommendations and policies, particularly Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2014-2020, and they demonstrate [reveal?] several limitations. The restrictions under the CAP regulations' so-called 'greening' requirements mainly affect the production of energy crops, limiting monocultures' growing. For some types of biomass production (e.g. energy cultures, wood biomass), several limitations or restrictions are considered, in particular, those related to environmental issues such as biodiversity, soil properties, agro-ecosystems and landscape. Forest origin, non-food plants (e.g. perennial grasses) and different kind of residues and waste could be the most important, perspective and sustainable biomass sources in Latvia. Besides, the dominance of a single bioenergy source would be unsustainable in the long run, and diversifying of the energy system is preferred.

The economic development of a country is a continuous process in which the increase of the people's welfare is an indicator of economic development. The main drivers of economic growth are businessmen who create products/services and pay taxes, which is expressed as an indicator of the country's gross domestic product and balance of trade. It is in the economic interests of every country to create such a business environment that its inhabitants and investors feel a desire to establish and develop enterprises. The study narrowed the concept of business activity, analysed the dynamics of company registration and liquidation in Latvia. The research authors describe the changes of the business activity in Latvia in the period from 1991 till 2018, emphasizing the dynamics of the liquidation and the registration numbers of enterprises, the indicators of the World Bank, summarizing the government developed measures for improving the business environment and the measures planned for improving the environment as reflected in the declaration of the government approved in 2019. According to Lursoft data, the balance of registration and liquidation of Latvian enterprises has been steady negative since 2015. In January 2019 the number of liquidated enterprises reaches 60% of the total number of enterprises liquidated in 2018, thus indicating to processes with an unfavourable trend. The information about the registration and liquidation of enterprises published in Lursoft database and the positive evaluation of Doing Business ranking indicate to contrary information. In January 2019 the new government of Latvia was approved. It developed its declaration about the need for improving various industries in order to increase the business activity.

Maģistra darba tēma "Bezdarbs Latvijā". Bezdarbs ir viena no galvenajām ekonomikas attīstības problēmām. Ekonomiskās politikas mērķis ir labklājība, kas balstās uz sekmīgu ekonomisko izaugsmi un pilnu nodarbinātību. Maģistra darba mērķis izpētīt bezdarba situāciju Latvijā kopumā un teritoriālā griezumā, atklāt pozitīvos momentus un trūkumus, izstrādāt priekšlikumus tā samazināšanai. Mērķa sasniegšanai izvirzīti uzdevumi izskatīt teorētiskos aspektus, izanalizēt statistikas datus, izpētīt Latvijas nodarbinātības attīstības virzienus. Maģistra darbam ir gan teorētiskā, gan praktiskā nozīme. Maģistra darba izstrādē pielietotas analītiskās un grafiskās metodes. Darbs sastāv no ievada, trīs nodaļām, secinājumiem un priekšlikumiem, kopā 81 lappuses. Darbā iekļauti 19 attēli, 12.tabulas. ; Title of Diploma paper is "Unemployment in Latvia". One of the major economy's growth problems is unemployment. The aim of the economy politics is welfare based on economy's growth and full employment. The aim of Diploma paper is to explore the situation regarding unemployment in Latvia in overall and also in regions, make analysis and work out suggestions for reduction of unemployment. To achieve the aim there was performed analysis of theoretical aspects, statistical data and tendencies for employment in Latvia. Graphical and analytic methods were used. Diploma paper has theoretical and practical significance. Paper contains introduction, three chapters, conclusions and proposals. Together on 81 pages. There are also included 19 pictures, 12 tables.

The article offers a concise view on the constitution of the Baltic state of Latvia. After an introduction focusing on constitutional history, the author explores basic principles and human rights in the text of the constitution and explains the main constitutional bodies and their functions in legislative, executive and judiciary. Chapters on citizenship and religious rights round up this introduction to the Latvian Constitution.

Doing business 2020 is the 17th in a series of annual studies investigating the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it. Doing business presents quantitative indicators on business regulations and the protection of property rights that can be compared across 190 economies - from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe - and over time. Regulations affecting 12 areas of the life of a business are covered: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, resolving insolvency, employing workers, and contracting with the government. The employing workers and contracting with the government indicator sets are not included in this year's ranking on the ease of doing business. Data in doing business 2020 are current as of May 1, 2019. The indicators are used to analyze economic outcomes and identify what reforms of business regulation have worked, where, and why. This economy profile presents indicators for Latvia; for 2020, Latvia ranks 19.

Brownfields (contaminated or degraded territories) significantly pollutes environment, form derelict landscapes and affects people's security and health. Formation of these sites depends on many factors such as bad industrial practise and economy, inadequate legislation, wastewater and waste management etc. Inventory and evaluation of these sites in Latvia is carried out according to Regulations issued by the Latvia Cabinet of Ministers. The sites are characterised with parameters which differs from accepted in the other European countries. For example, primary classification indicator in Latvia is a degree of ground and soil pollution in these fields and as a secondary factor – presence of destroyed and abandoned buildings. The paper presents the results of investigation the situation on brownfields in Latvia, especially in Rezekne city, analyses the reasons of their formation and develops recommendations for intensification revitalization process of brownfields.

The national report of civil procedure in Latvia is based on review of the Latvian Civil Procedure Law, court practice, feedback by the Ministry of Justice on cooperation with the EU states as well as with third countries in various matters of jurisdiction as well as on legal science. Civil procedure includes all legal principles like disposition, right to be present and to be heard, competition of parties in gaining all necessary evidence and similar concepts to be found in almost every modern civil procedure system. However, there are certain specific features due to which Latvian process stands out. For instance, there is still a system of legal presumptions which apparently is inherited from Roman law, yet still prescribed by the Latvian Civil law (Civil code). Also certain degree of formal attitude remains as a characteristic feature of the Latvian civil procedure.

The Mapping Digital Media project examines the global opportunities and risks created by the transition from traditional to digital media. Covering 60 countries, the project examines how these changes affect the core democratic service that any media system should provide: news about political, economic, and social affairs.Latvia ended analog terrestrial broadcasting on June 1, 2010, following a flawed process of spectrum allocation, minimal public consultation, and without ensuring that the public understood the process or that the most vulnerable members of society were assured of access to the digital signal.The number of terrestrial television channels has increased with digitization, providing an alternative to cable and satellite. However, experts indicate that switch-over has not raised the quality of television content. With viewers' purchasing power limited, free-to-air TV and low-cost channels along with Russian television programs are offered instead of high-quality foreign content. Digitization has not led to better quality journalism, nor has it increased the volume of original news content.Marginalized groups have gained a public forum on digital platforms, especially on social networks. But there is no evidence that digitization helps to improve the media coverage of those groups. Digitization has offered many tools and opportunities for improved investigative journalism but they are seldom used. Signs of innovative and creative uses of digital media and social networks suggest that digital channels may yet provide a powerful voice for civic activism. But that will require further maturing of civil society.A universal self-regulatory mechanism has eluded Latvian journalists for decades and digitization has done little to improve this. The current legal framework for allocating digital spectrum needs to be revised and the private intermediary provider of free-to-air digital terrestrial services needs to be eliminated. Legal provisions ensuring transparency of media ownership are insufficient and need to be improved.

Analysis of competition in the banking industry allows to determine the obstacles to its effective functioning. The aim of this research is to analyse the competitiveness level in the modern banking sector of Latvia.Identification and analysis of the main characteristics of the competitive environment of the banking sector in Latvia is done on the basis of indicators characterizing the concentration of the industry, the intensity of competition as well as financial indicators reflecting the financial condition of banks and affecting their competitiveness.As a result, for the first time the level of competitiveness of the banking sector in Latvia was evaluated and supported by comparative analysis of all the banks on the basis of their financial performance. It gives ground for recommendations to the stakeholders on measures to raise competitiveness. Results and directions for further research can attract attention of the research community in Latvia, European Union and globally.

Analysis of competition in the banking industry allows to determine the obstacles to its effective functioning. The aim of this research is to analyse the competitiveness level in the modern banking sector of Latvia.Identification and analysis of the main characteristics of the competitive environment of the banking sector in Latvia is done on the basis of indicators characterizing the concentration of the industry, the intensity of competition as well as financial indicators reflecting the financial condition of banks and affecting their competitiveness.As a result, for the first time the level of competitiveness of the banking sector in Latvia was evaluated and supported by comparative analysis of all the banks on the basis of their financial performance. It gives ground for recommendations to the stakeholders on measures to raise competitiveness. Results and directions for further research can attract attention of the research community in Latvia, European Union and globally.