Latvia, Real Estate, Transport

Martins Tols

Tols was selected through an open competition, there were 23 candidates in total. He was appointed VNI board chairman today, and will officially take his new job on August 4.

"After all candidates who had applied for the competition were evaluated, and Martins Tols was selected as the best one. His experience of work in public administration and on international projects will contribute to the company's successful operations. I expect the new head of VNI to improve resource planning and management and make the company's work more efficient in managing state properties," Finance Minister Andris Vilks (Unity) said.

Tols has a degree in law from the University of Latvia, he has also participated in various courses and seminars on tax and business management. He has worked in executive positions at several state and private companies.

According to LETA archive, Tols joined the Revenue Service in 1995 and was appointed the head of the Customs Administration in 2003, also through an open competition. He was hired by then-Finance Minister, now European Parliament member Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity). Tols stepped down in 2004 of his own free volition.

Then Finance Minister Oskars Spurdzins ordered Customs Administration Director Martins Tols temporarily released from his duties in May 2004. The move came in wake of information at the minister's disposal n Latvia's customs network's inadequate preparedness for European Union accession, and the multiple problems in coordinating customs operations. Tols was temporarily released pending a full investigation into his actions. Disciplinary action will be taken at the beginning of next week by decision of a special commission. If Tols is removed from office permanently, a competition will be announced for his successor. Tols rejected the allegations as unfounded.

The previous VNI board chairwoman Baiba Strautmane was sacked at the end of this past April.