On 24 November, President of Latvia Egils Levits welcomed the members of the board of Foreign Investors Council in Latvia to the Riga Castle for a discussion on how to reduce the fragmentation of public sector efforts and create a more efficient public sector.
President of Latvia shared his views on modernisation of public sector, which is one of Egils Levits’ presidential priorities. ‘One of the most pressing challenges that we need to address immediately is public sector’s consistent inability to efficiently and effectively manage sectors that require horizontal coordination,’ stressed President Levits. President also informed meeting participants about a legal initiative, which will be submitted to the parliament (Saeima) on 24 November. This initiative ‘once adopted will give Cabinet of Ministers and Prime Minister the legal basis for appointing one or several state ministers who would be directly responsible for specific tasks in the context of efficient horizontal governance of particular cabinet priorities, with either temporary or full-term mandate’.
President of Latvia presented his idea to create the position of state minister to FICIL board members who reiterated that FICIL has been calling for centralisation of digital policy planning, implementation and coordination for several years. FICIL representatives also urged the government of Latvia to develop a more integrated policy, more coordinated activities and objectives, efficient financial models and clear accountability rules for delivery of European Green Deal initiatives in Latvia.
As regards to current situation in Latvia’s education sector, FICIL board members underlined the need to reform general and higher education, strengthen life-long learning and reskilling programmes, paying special attention to upskilling of public sector workforce.
Discussion then moved on to rule of law. According to FICIL, Economic Crimes Court has ensured a real progress in this area and has improved judicial efficiency.
FICIL’s overall opinion on public sector performance mostly emphasised the need to centralise the coordination of horizontal policies, long-term planning and data-driven decision making.
President of Latvia thanked Foreign Investors Council in Latvia for playing an active role in shaping national development by identifying existing challenges and suggesting potential areas of focus in relation to national development.
Egils Levits maintains a regular dialogue with FICIL. President’s previous meetings with FICIL have focused on the impact of the pandemic on economy, rule of law, National Recovery and Resilience Plan priorities, including digital transformation and Green Deal, as well need to increase funding for education and science.
FICIL board was represented by Zlata Elksniņa-Zaščirinska, Ints Krasts, Evija Šturca, Alvis Ērglis, Valts Kārkliņš, Arnis Sauka, Linda Helmane and Mārcis Reveliņš.