EU – Baltic States, Forum, Investments, Latvia, Markets and Companies

The focus of the discussion was the position and views of candidates on the issues important for the investors, entrepreneurs and the whole foreign business community in Riga.

More than 100 entrepreneurs, investors, diplomats and managers from the chambers of commerce of the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Netherlands joined for the discussion with mayoral candidates Baiba Broka (National Alliance), representatives of candidates Ilona Platonova (Reform party), Maris Slokenbergs (Latvian Green party) and Pēteris Viņķelis (Unity). Unfortunately the current Riga Mayor Mr Nils Ušakovs (Harmony centre) recalled his participation shortly before the debates. Foreign business community heard the candidates presenting their views on how to attract investors to Riga, how much more Riga can afford to borrow and how candidates plan to use the potential of Riga for the economical development of the city.

The foreign business community was most interested in issues that are on the business agenda for investors here – the reducing bureaucracy; effective, predictable and understandable co-operation among businesses and municipality; goal-oriented all season long promotion of tourism to Riga, as well as building the image and the offer of Riga to western investors. The local and foreign business community was concerned about unsolved issues of plans of municipality towards effective and environment and citizens safe operations of Riga Free port, efficient management and development of public transportation in Riga, as well as long term investments in health of the Riga citizens and environment.

Members of chambers of commerce admitted that mayoral candidates expressed quite similar view and political position on the most essential issues. The presentations and answers to the questions did not demonstrate substantial difference in political platforms nor future vision of the City and the strategy of party pre-election promises.

At the end of the meeting foreign business community based on the arguments and position of mayoral candidates during their presentations and discussion, voted for their Riga Mayor candidate. The most votes, 41%, went for mayoral candidate from National Alliance Ms Baiba Broka.