http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/ The Baltic Course - International Internet Magazine. Baltic States News & Analysis, Baltic market reviews eng Thu, 17 May 2012 04:53:19 +0300 Baltic Course, The baltic-course@baltic-course.com dmitrijs@mansbirojs.lv http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57372 According to the data of the Central Statistical Bureau in 2011 there were 84 active combined heat and power (CHP) plants in Latvia, with total electrical capacity of 966.2 megawatts (MW). These CHP plants produced 3122 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity and 4175 GWh of heat energy, which is 60.9 % of the total volume of the produced heat. Wed, 16 May 2012 19:00:00 +0300 1337184000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57368 According to the data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) 47.9% of respondents in 2011 characterised their health as “good” or "very good”. In its turn, 35.5% assessed their health only as “fair”. 13.3% of respondents described their health as "bad" and 3.3% – as "very bad". As compared to 2010 significant changes in self-assessment of state of health have not been recorded. Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 +0300 1337180400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57379 Latvia's gross domestic product will grow by 3.5% in 2012, International Monetary Fund representative Mark Griffith announced during today's press conference on IMF/EC post-monitoring mission results. Wed, 16 May 2012 17:00:00 +0300 1337176800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=57386 Polish energy company PGE (Polska Grupa Energetyczna) is considering to return to the project of the Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) construction, Polish daily Dziennik Gazeta Prawna said. Wed, 16 May 2012 16:45:00 +0300 1337175900 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=57385 Compared to the first months of the year 2012, the current account deficit reduced to LVL 27.6 million in March. Wed, 16 May 2012 16:30:00 +0300 1337175000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57381 New automobile registrations in Latvia increased by 4.6% in April 2012, which was the sixth smallest increase in Europe, according to the latest report from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. The steepest increase among all countries included in the report was recorded in Iceland – 147.8%, followed by Hungary – 15.8%, and Estonia – 15.5%. Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:00 +0300 1337173200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57382 Annual inflation in Latvia this past April was 2.8%, which was the 11th lowest inflation recorded across the European Union member states, according to latest data from the EU statistical office Eurostat. Inflation in Estonia made 4.2% Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:00 +0300 1337173200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states_cis/?doc=57387 Estonian Riigikogu foreign committee chairman Marko Mihkelson, who met on Wednesday in Tallinn with Russian Federation Council foreign committee chairman Mikhail Margelov, said that parliamentary dialogue at the committees level has been restored now, LETA/Public Broadcasting reports. Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:00 +0300 1337173200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=57378 Due to shortcomings in the contract on the construction of new trains for the joint-stock company Pasazieru vilciens(Passenger Train), signed with the Spanish company Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A. (CAF), Latvia could lose all the European Union funding earmarked for the project, and cover the entire cost of the project itself, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) said in an interview with the LNT television today. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:35:00 +0300 1337171700 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=57380 The currently-suspended European Union fund payments to Latvia could be restored in June. 2012 Wed, 16 May 2012 15:30:00 +0300 1337171400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57373 In 2012, Ventspils will be hosting the world's most popular art and charity project CowParade Ventspils 2012 for the second time. The CowParade introduction event gathered the artists involved in the project, who also received a special work apron and well-wishes from the Chairman of Ventspils City Council, Aivars Lembergs: “Let the cows get colourful and filled with creativity”. The opening ceremony of CowParade will be held on June 30, at 12:00, in the Promenade of Ostas Street in Ventspils. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:10:00 +0300 1337170200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=57371 A total of 41% of Lithuanian car owners this year use less fuel than in 2011, a poll carried out by the research company RAIT showed. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:00 +0300 1337169600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57366 Mattias Loov sought to cut costs for his clients at Stockholm-based H1 Communication after the global economic crisis hit the Nordic region. He found a solution 760 kilometers (475 miles) across the Baltic Sea. Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 +0300 1337166000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=57369 An analysis of TNS Emor indicates that Estonians drank 11% more alcohol in 2011 than in 2010 and the consumption of strong alcohol also grew, LETA/Public Broadcasting reports. Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 +0300 1337166000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57359 A new GEFCO project “Daily Route to Kazakhstan” was launched early in 2012. This new service provides regular deliveries of general cargo from Europe via Lithuania to Kazakhstan and other countries in Central Asia. It is operated by GEFCO’s Baltic, Kazakh and European subsidiary offices. Wed, 16 May 2012 13:30:00 +0300 1337164200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=57362 Latvian President Andris Berzins positively assesses the government's decision to reduce personal income tax and value added tax (VAT) rates, as Berzins said in an interview with the Latvian State Television this morning. Wed, 16 May 2012 13:30:00 +0300 1337164200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=57363 Four illegal discharges of oil from ships were detected during the HELCOM’s intense aerial surveillance operation conducted on 7-9 May over the north eastern part of the Baltic Sea Proper and the western part of the Gulf of Finland. The details of the operation remained classified until the last plane landed this morning in order to prevent possible offenders from discovering the surveillance activities. Wed, 16 May 2012 13:30:00 +0300 1337164200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57364 Tax reduction measures will begin with a value added tax (VAT) rate reduction due to the increasing inflation, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) said in an interview with the LNT television this morning. Wed, 16 May 2012 13:10:00 +0300 1337163000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=57361 On Tuesday, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics met with the Minister of State of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany Michael Georg Link, who had arrived in Latvia for an introductory visit, LETA was informed by the Foreign Ministry. Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:00 +0300 1337162400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=57350 11 Europe's poorest nations defended a proposal to increase the 2013 EU budget on Tuesday, pitting them against richer states seeking to limit the bloc's joint spending. Wed, 16 May 2012 12:30:00 +0300 1337160600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=57353 Gazprom filed a request with the Arbitration Tribunal of the International Chamber of Commerce on March 19 to initiate arbitration proceedings against Lithuania in connection with an investment dispute on tariffs at the Kaunas Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHPP), Interfax reports. Wed, 16 May 2012 12:30:00 +0300 1337160600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57354 Estonian food industry company AS Premia Foods announced that its unaudited consolidated turnover of the 1st quarter of 2012 increased compared to the same period last year by 2.7% and was 17.1 million euro and the company's net loss decreased. Wed, 16 May 2012 12:30:00 +0300 1337160600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=57355 In 2012 the import of Russian gas to Western Europe fell significantly because of a warm spring. Many of Western Europe countries pay less for the gas than Lithuania. Wed, 16 May 2012 12:20:00 +0300 1337160000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=57351 Shipping company Tallink, which earned 37.5 million euros of profit in 2011, will not pay any dividends to shareholders, LETA/Public Broadcasting reports. Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 +0300 1337158800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=57352 The council of Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) elected PR specialist Agu Uudelepp as its new chairman; previous chairman Hagi Šein does not continue in the council, LETA/Postimees writes. Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 +0300 1337158800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=57344 The Supervisory Board of Latvian national airline airBaltic has approved Martin Sedlacky as the new Chief Operations Officer and Member of the executive Board. Wed, 16 May 2012 11:30:00 +0300 1337157000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57342 Ryanair, the world’s favourite airline, on 15 May announced that the Ryanair.com website will be closed from 22.00hrs (GMT) on Fri 18 May until midnight Sat 19 May. Flights will be unaffected and Ryanair has already advised passengers due to travel over the weekend (Sat 19 & Sun 20 May) to make sure they check-in online before 16.00hrs (GMT) on 18 May. Wed, 16 May 2012 10:10:00 +0300 1337152200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57335 Estonian environment minister Keit Pentus will open on Friday the new natural mineral water bottling plant in Häädemeeste, which continues a tradition that ended years ago, LETA/Delfi reports. Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:00 +0300 1337151600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=57336 Michael Georg Link, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, on his Latvia visit, met yesterday with Saeima Speaker Solvita Aboltina (Unity). Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:00 +0300 1337151600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=57337 Today, European Parliament EPP Group Chairman Joseph Daul met with Latvian Agriculture Minister Laimdota Straujuma and pointed out that he is ready to support Latvia's efforts in evening out direct payments to farmers, Nozare.lv was informed EPP Group press secretary Girts Salmgriezis. Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:00 +0300 1337151600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=57338 One of the largest Lithuanian investment companies Invalda AB will acquire 10% of own shares paying for them LTL 59.6 million (EUR 17.24 million), the company said in a statement. Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:00 +0300 1337151600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/Technology/?doc=57339 A fresh study by Business Software Alliance indicates that Estonia's most active pirated software users are 25-34-year old men, LETA/Delfi reports. Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:00 +0300 1337151600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=57340 According to the data from the Public Procurement Office of Lithuania, value of public procurement in Q1, 2012 made LTL 3.6 billion (EUR 1.04 billion) and grew twice compared to a same period in 2012. Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:00 +0300 1337151600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=57343 The Estonian Health Insurance Fund report that was revealed on Tuesday indicates that an average of 62% of patients get a regular appointment with a specialised doctor in the period of time prescribed by regulations, LETA/Delfi reports. Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:00 +0300 1337151600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=57341 Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite dismissed Judge of the District Court of Kaunas City Almantas Lisauskas and Judge of The First District Court of Vilnius City Rysardas Skirtunas. Wed, 16 May 2012 09:40:00 +0300 1337150400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57296 According to the data of the Central Statistical Bureau construction volume at current prices in the 1st quarter of 2012 comprised LVL 123.6 million. Tue, 15 May 2012 19:00:00 +0300 1337097600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57286 According to Statistics Estonia, in the 1st quarter of 2012, the unemployed persons numbered 79,600 and the unemployment rate was 11.5%. During the two last quarters the unemployment has slightly increased due to the growth of unemployment among men. Tue, 15 May 2012 17:30:00 +0300 1337092200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=57324 In April 2012, Latvian airline airBaltic operated 4,272 flights, or 13% less than in April 2011 when airBaltic operated 4,889 flights. The airline carried 252,034 passengers in April. During the first four months of 2012, airBaltic transported a total of 841,146 passengers. Tue, 15 May 2012 17:30:00 +0300 1337092200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57318 In the first quarter of 2012, Latvia's economy displayed the fastest growth across the European Union when compared with the first quarter of 2011, or the second fastest if compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, according to the latest data from the EU's statistical office Eurostat. Tue, 15 May 2012 17:10:00 +0300 1337091000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=57322 Today, Riga City Council members supported free public transportation for Riga school children from grades 1-12 from September 1. Tue, 15 May 2012 17:10:00 +0300 1337091000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57319 From January to April 2012, Estonian Air increased its market share on regular flights in Tallinn Airport from 34.8% to 48.2%, making a total increase of 13.4 percentage points, the Estonian national carrier announced. Tue, 15 May 2012 17:00:00 +0300 1337090400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=57320 It is still hard to forecast whether Russian gas monopoly Gazprom is going to increase gas prices for Lithuania till the end of 2014, when the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal is launched, however, the company should decrease the prices after the terminal is set, Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius said. Tue, 15 May 2012 17:00:00 +0300 1337090400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57323 This past April, the minimum monthly subsistence level slightly increased and amounted to LVL 175.78, which is 0.8% more than in March 2012, when it reached LVL 174.40, according to the Central Statistical Bureau's data. Tue, 15 May 2012 17:00:00 +0300 1337090400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=57325 On May 15 in Vilnius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Azubalis met with German Minister of State Michael Georg Link to discuss Lithuania's interests in negotiations on the next EU financial perspective and future Eastern Partnership policy, reported BC the Lithuanian MFA. Tue, 15 May 2012 17:00:00 +0300 1337090400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57306 In summer 2012, the Blue Flag will be flying over ten Latvian public beaches and two yacht clubs, as Environmental Education Fund representative Ilze Grunska told LETA. Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:00 +0300 1337086800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/real_estate/?doc=57307 The Estonian construction company Nordecon's main shareholder Toomas Luman said in his speech at the opening of the Maritime Museum Lennusadam last week that the project's costs exceeded the income by four million euros, writes LETA/BBN, referring to Aripaev. Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:00 +0300 1337086800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=57311 From today, May 15, the Lithuania-based bank Ukio Bankas has changed conditions for credit payment card services to make them more favorable for clients, the bank said in a statement. Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:00 +0300 1337086800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=57312 After investigating the law infringement case, the Supervision Service of the Bank of Lithuania warned the financial market participant Gubernija (based in Siauliai) about the infringement of Securities Law provisions, the Bank of Lithuania said in a statement. Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:00 +0300 1337086800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=57305 Today, the government agreed that the value added tax (VAT) rate would be reduced one percentage point on July 1 this year, from the current 22% to 21%, whereas personal income tax will be reduced five percentage points in the next three years, from the current 25% to 20%. Tue, 15 May 2012 15:45:00 +0300 1337085900 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states_cis/?doc=57308 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Audronius Azubalis is "really tired of all the plans for supporting the opposition in Belarus", Telegraf.by quotes his interview with Carnegie Europe. Tue, 15 May 2012 15:35:00 +0300 1337085300 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57299 In 2010, the Riga International Airport serviced 4.656 million passengers, 14.6% more than in 2009. The airport's growth in the number of air passengers was among the highest in the European Union, according to data from the EU's statistical office Eurostat. Tue, 15 May 2012 15:30:00 +0300 1337085000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=57304 Latvian euro coins will have national symbols on them, the business information portal Nozare.lv was informed by the euro project head Dace Kalsone. Tue, 15 May 2012 15:30:00 +0300 1337085000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=57300 Continuing reforms in the management of government-run companies, company councils, which were previously liquidated, could be reinstated for some ten state companies, Economy Minister Daniels Pavluts told a press conference today. Tue, 15 May 2012 15:00:00 +0300 1337083200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/Technology/?doc=57295 Total losses caused by software piracy in Latvia reached EUR 23 million (LVL 16 million) in 2011, although the level of software piracy decreased in the country: 54% of computer users had pirated software installed in their computers last year, according to a study into global software piracy done by the international software makers' association Business Software Alliance (BSA). Tue, 15 May 2012 14:10:00 +0300 1337080200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57293 Vilnius municipality organizes walking tours for guests and residents of the city to become acquainted with the city's sightseeing and the most beautiful places, the campaign is entitled Discover Vilnius Old Town, the Vilnius Tourism Information Center reports. Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 +0300 1337079600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=57291 If the contract on procurement of new trains is terminated, Latvia will be facing penalties worth one-third of the contract amount, Transport Ministry's Parliamentary Secretary Klavs Olsteins said in an interview with the LNT television this morning. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:40:00 +0300 1337078400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states_cis/?doc=57292 At today’s discussion in Brussels among the European Union (EU) foreign ministers regarding preparations for the EU-Russia summit in June, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that progress for one partner in important areas should bring progress for the other partner in important areas. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:30:00 +0300 1337077800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=57290 After today's meeting with IMF and European Commission post-monitoring mission representatives, Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) still promised to reduce personal income tax and value added tax rates. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:30:00 +0300 1337077800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57283 Cargo turnover at Latvian ports reached 27.1 million tons in the first four months of 2012, 19.5% more than in the respective period in 2011, according to the Transport Ministry's data. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:20:00 +0300 1337077200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/Technology/?doc=57282 Google launched today in Estonia its Street View, which enables to look at and navigate at 360° panorama angle pictures of streets and locations all over Estonia, LETA/Public Broadcasting reports. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 +0300 1337076000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57285 On Monday, May 14, Chef de Cuisine of Egoist Heidi Pinnak and the head of the Estonian Culinary Institute Dimitri Demjanov were be on board of Tallinn-London-Tallinn flight to personally introduce and serve the restaurant's dishes to Premium class passengers, the airline said in a statement. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 +0300 1337076000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=57284 In Estonia, four times more energy is used to produce one unit of gross domestic product (GDP) than in the European Union on average and more also than Estonia's neighboring states do, LETA/Postimees writes. Tue, 15 May 2012 12:45:00 +0300 1337075100 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=57281 Saeima Social and Employment Matters Committee in Latvia today approved a suggestion to increase the retirement age by three months each year starting from 2014, so the retirement age would reach 65 in 2025. Tue, 15 May 2012 12:30:00 +0300 1337074200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57280 23.1 million tons of freight were transported by rail in Latvia in January-April 2012, 13.8% more than in the first four months of 2011, according to the Transport Ministry's data. Tue, 15 May 2012 12:10:00 +0300 1337073000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57266 First Lithuanian Chocolate Museum will open on June 1 in a northern city of Siauliai, in a renovated building of Ruta chocolate factory. Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 +0300 1337072400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=57270 The Estonian Riigikogu economy committee decided not to demand expropriation of the grid of Eesti Gaas but forces the company to sell its distribution pipelines with the help of a penalty payment, LETA/Public Broadcasting reports. Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 +0300 1337072400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/education/?doc=57273 Estonian Chess Association president Andrei Korobeinik and chess legend Garri Kasparov signed on Monday in Tallinn a framework agreement "Chess to School" and this autumn teaching chess will be launched in at least a dozen Estonian schools as part of a pilot project, Äripäev.ee/LETA reports. Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 +0300 1337072400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states_cis/?doc=57271 On May 14, in Brussels, Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Evaldas Ignatavicius called on the EU Foreign Ministers to seek engaging Ukraine into European processes, so that the confidence crisis would not be escalated. Tue, 15 May 2012 11:00:00 +0300 1337068800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=57272 The Tax and Customs Board of Estonia plans to cut its office space by 35% by June 2012 due to dismissal of 120 employees, the Estonian national broadcasting corporation ERR reports. Tue, 15 May 2012 11:00:00 +0300 1337068800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=57267 Cargo transport volume at the Eesti Raudtee infrastructure in the first four months of the year 2012 fell by 6.8% as compared to the same time last year to 10.37 million tonnes, Äripäev.ee/LETA reports. Tue, 15 May 2012 10:30:00 +0300 1337067000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=57265 Latvia and China enjoy friendly relations with much perspective, which could help in achieving closer cooperation in the area of defense. Such conclusions were made yesterday during a meeting between Latvian President Andris Berzins and visiting Chinese National Defense Minister General Liang Guanglie in Riga yesterday, LETA was informed by the Presidential Chancery. Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 +0300 1337065200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57251 Statistics Lithuania informs that in I quarter 2012, the volume of construction works carried out amounted to LTL 977 million. The construction work carried out within the national territory accounted for 93% (LTL 912 million) of the total construction work, outside the national territory – 7% (LTL 65 million). Against IV quarter 2011, the share of construction works carried out within the national territory decreased by 57.5% at constant prices, seasonally adjusted – 4.2%. Mon, 14 May 2012 19:00:00 +0300 1337011200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57249 Eastern Europe, both feared and fascinating, welcomes this summer to discover five of its most romantic beaches. Feared because there are still preconceptions related to its development and travel safety, fascinating, because there is still so much to discover – Eastern Europe is a mysterious destination for many Occidental travelers – the Argophilia Travel portal invites every traveler to visit five outstanding Eastern European beaches this summer, and one of them is Lithuanian captivating resort Curonian Spit. Mon, 14 May 2012 16:30:00 +0300 1337002200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=57255 This week Swedbank in Lithuania received the Responsible Business Award in the Environmental category for engaging and educating clients and suppliers in the area of sustainable development, the banking group said in a statement. Mon, 14 May 2012 16:30:00 +0300 1337002200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=57256 Parking slots for bicycles will open in Tallinn this season from May 15 until September 22; the guests and residents of the city will be allowed to use them free of charge. Mon, 14 May 2012 16:30:00 +0300 1337002200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57247 Industrial production output in Latvia increased by 8.5% in March 2012 from March 2011, which was the second steepest increase across the European Union, according to latest data presented the EU statistical office Eurostat. Mon, 14 May 2012 16:00:00 +0300 1337000400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=57248 Low-income residents will not notice the government's proposed tax cuts, since their income will not increase considerably, Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony Center) told the LNT morning show "900 sekundes" today. Mon, 14 May 2012 16:00:00 +0300 1337000400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=57250 This weekend, Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius was on a working visit to Tallinn where he participated in a traditional conference of Lennarto Meri, first President of Estonia since its re-established independence, to discuss prospects for European energy security, the PM's Office reports. Mon, 14 May 2012 16:00:00 +0300 1337000400 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=57242 The Shareholders of Nord Stream AG have asked the company to conduct a feasibility study of possible options to further increase the capacities to transport natural gas from Russia to the EU through the Baltic Sea. Over the next eight months, Nord Stream will make an assessment of various criteria of up to two potential additional pipelines, including technical solutions, route alternatives, environment and financing. Mon, 14 May 2012 15:30:00 +0300 1336998600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=57240 In April 2012, external assets and external liabilities of the Bank of Lithuania increased by 1.4 billion litas and 307.5 million litas respectively, the Bank of Lithuania said in a statement. Mon, 14 May 2012 15:00:00 +0300 1336996800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57234 International passenger transport company Go Rail launches the Tallinn-St Petersburg train route on May 27, LETA/Postimees Online reports. Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:00 +0300 1336993200 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=57235 During their meeting last night in Tallinn, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and German Minister of State for EU Affairs Michael Link discussed euro zone issues and Estonia and Germany’s co-operation in the European Union. Mon, 14 May 2012 13:40:00 +0300 1336992000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=57228 Vilnius Mayor, leader of the movement YES Arturas Zuokas presented an election programme in Kaunas this weekend during a congress of the TAIP movement. Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:00 +0300 1336989600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=57229 Flights on the Tallinn-Kuressaare route are cancelled on May 13-20 due to a logistical problem as a result of a change of the carrier, the Estonian national broadcasting corporation ERR reports. Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:00 +0300 1336989600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57239 Nineteen new trolley-buses friendly towards the environment will be launched in Vilnius next summer, the news portal Kurier.lt reported. Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:00 +0300 1336989600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57226 At the opening of the Estonia-Turkey Intercultural Trade and Education Association (EESTURK), the Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said on May 11 that hopefully it will become possible to fly directly from Tallinn to Istanbul within the year, the Estonian Foreign Ministry reported. Mon, 14 May 2012 12:45:00 +0300 1336988700 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=57223 The construction of Visaginas nuclear power plant could start in 2015, the plant's operations could be launched five or six years later, Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius said in an interview with the Estonian business newspaper Aripaev. Mon, 14 May 2012 12:30:00 +0300 1336987800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57212 On Saturday, May 12, in Tallinn (the capital city of Estonia), during the panel discussion of the Lennart Meri Conference devoted to the future of the eurozone, Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis emphasized that in order to successfully overcome the crisis in some eurozone countries, they need a clear crisis exit strategy, informed BC press secretary to the Prime Minister Mārtiņš Panke. Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:00 +0300 1336986000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=57224 The Estonian branch of the Italian bank UniCredit earned 979,000 euros of net profit in the first quarter of this year, which was by nearly three times more than at the same time in 2011, LETA/National Broadcasting reports. Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:00 +0300 1336986000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57225 Rating agency Fitch announced Friday it would most likely place the sovereign ratings of all the remaining euro area member states on Rating Watch Negative list if Greece leaves the euro zone, EU Observer reports. Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:00 +0300 1336986000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/forums/?doc=57227 The Estonian economy ministry has made a proposal to the government that Estonia should participate at the 2015 EXPO in Italy, which would cost an estimated 3.7 million euros, LETA/National Broadcasting reports. Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:00 +0300 1336986000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=57211 Danske Bank Group has announced that a new organisational structure for the entire group will be introduced in June. The organisational structure and team of managers in Lithuania will not change, the banking group said in a statement. Mon, 14 May 2012 10:30:00 +0300 1336980600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57208 In Q1, Lithuanian refrigerator manufacturer Snaige had a strong overall sales performance well ahead of their key markets and has matched 2011 sales value with revenues of LTL 22 million/EUR 6.4 million, (unaudited, unconsolidated results), the company said in a statement. Mon, 14 May 2012 10:20:00 +0300 1336980000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=57204 1,077 new cars were registered in Latvia this past March, 9% more than in March 2011, when 986 new automobiles were registered, according to the Latvian Authorized Automobile Dealers Association's data. Mon, 14 May 2012 10:00:00 +0300 1336978800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=57206 Foreign analysts have a high opinion of Latvia's 6.8% gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the first quarter of 2012, exceeding all forecasts. Commenting Latvia's economic growth in the first three months of the year 2012, the British newspaper Financial Times points out that "there is life after austerity". Mon, 14 May 2012 10:00:00 +0300 1336978800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/tourism/?doc=57207 2012 is declared the Year of Museums in Lithuania. On that occasion a new souvenir sheet, "2012, the Year of Museums", will appear in circulation on May 12, Lithuanian Post said on Saturday. Mon, 14 May 2012 10:00:00 +0300 1336978800 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=57209 The Baltic States must work together to defend their common interests – address energy security challenges and problems of transport isolation, develop a vision of the Eastern neighbourhood, aim at achieving a universal condemnation of crimes committed by the totalitarian regimes and to negotiate the EU budget together, because they can expect positive results only when speaking with one voice, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Azubalis said. Mon, 14 May 2012 09:40:00 +0300 1336977600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=57210 Lithuania's budget revenue increased by 7.7% from a year earlier in the four months through April 2012, exceeding the government's target. Mon, 14 May 2012 09:30:00 +0300 1336977000 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=57203 10 unruly Latvian hockey fans were detained and locked up by security guards overnight aboard the Stockholm-Riga ferry ship. Sun, 13 May 2012 12:00:00 +0300 1336899600 http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/real_estate/?doc=57205 The Presidential Chancery of Latvia is looking to start work in its new (temporary) home in the House of Blackheads by September 1, 2012. Sat, 12 May 2012 12:00:00 +0300 1336813200