On 3 August, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with Minister of Economy Ilze Indriksone at Riga Castle to discuss the economic transformation plan, attracting foreign investment, as well as rising food prices and the current situation with the development of low-rent housing.
During the meeting, the President emphasised that the economic transformation plan must translate into concrete actions and changes, avoiding the risk of remaining at the planning stage.
The two sides discussed the current situation with the progress of the construction of low-rent housing. The overall need for quality and affordable housing in Latvia, especially in the regions, is high. According to the estimates of the Ministry of Economy, around 10 000 new dwellings should be built annually, the current pace is 2 000 to 3 000 per year.
President Rinkēvičs drew attention to the fact that access to quality housing is one of Latvia's long-standing challenges, especially in the regions. At the same time, despite the European Union's Recovery Fund investments over the next three years, it is essential to continue strengthening efforts in housing policy, as the real needs are greater. This is important not only for reducing social inequality but also in the broader context of promoting economic activity and labour mobility, especially outside Riga.
