Investment Guides
Subtitle: Latvia 1998
By: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Series: Investment Guides; Investment guides
Publisher: OECD Publishing
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Paris
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] /
Number of pages: 234
ISBN-13: 9789264162921
Subjects: Finance and Investment; Industry and Services
Description: Since 1991, the Latvian Government has conscientiously instituted a number of reforms which led to an increase in the level of foreign investment. Over 1996, foreign investment rose by 60 per cent, and foreign direct investment stocks amounted to US$ 269 per capita at the start of 1997. This places Latvia among the region's leaders in terms of its ability to attract foreign investment. The Government must, however, continue to improve the business environment. The Investment Guide for Latvia has been prepared with three objectives in mind : firstly, to identify those areas of economic activity which present opportunities for foreign investors; secondly, to provide the investor with comprehensive information relating to the historical, political, economic, financial and legal framework, essential for sound and secured foreign investment; thirdly, to draw on the experiences of the foreign investors in Latvia, and to conclude with an assessment of the business, investment and regulatory environment. This assessment will focus on areas within the legal framework and structure which need greater transparency, predictability and efficiency.
Table of contents: title: Preface by Guntars Krasts, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia; title: OVERVIEW; title: 1. The Market; title: 2. Regulatory Framework; title: 3. Assessment of the Climate for and Regulations on FDI in Latvia; title: PART 1. THE MARKET; title: Chapter 1. General Information; title: 1.1 Geography and Climate; title: 1.2 History; title: 1.3 Political System and Future Trends; title: 1.4 Population; title: 1.5 Basic Information; title: Chapter 2. Opportunities for Institutional Investors; title: 2.1 Access to Markets; title: 2.2 Prospective Industrial Sectors; title: 2.3 Incentives for Foreign Investors; title: 2.4 Free Ports and Special Economic Zones; title: 2.5 Development Areas; title: 2.6 Opportunities for Privatisation; title: 2.7 The Latvian Development Agency; title: Chapter 3. The Economy; title: 3.1 Introduction; title: 3.2 Current Economic Outlook; title: 3.3 Structure of the Economy; title: PART II. THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK&nbsp;; title: Chapter 4. The Legal System; title: 4.1 General Overview; title: 4.2 Body of Laws; title: 4.3 The Legal Profession in Latvia; title: 4.4 Court System; title: 4.5 Commercial Arbitration; title: Chapter 5. Foreign Direct Investment Legislation; title: 5.1 Introduction; title: 5.2 The Law on Foreign Investment; title: 5.3 Guarantees for Foreign Investment; title: 5.4 Restricted Sectors; title: Chapter 6. General Regulations of Business Activities; title: -6.1 Forms of Business Organizations; title: 6.2 Competition; title: 6.3 Insolvency and Bankruptcy; title: 6.4 Licensing; title: 6.5 Customs Legislation; title: 6.6 Protection of Consumer Rights; title: 6.7 Pricing; title: 6.8 Regulation of the Labour Market; title: 6.9 Protection of Intellectual Property; title: Chapter 7. Real Estate; title: 7.1 Land Reform; title: 7.2 The Use and Purchase of Land; title: 7.3 Land Books and the Registration of Ownership; title: 7.4 Pledges and Mortgages; title: 7.5 Servitudes; title: 7.6 Construction; title: 7.7 Environmental Requirements; title: Chapter 8. Taxation, Accounting, and Auditing; title: 8.1 Taxation; title: 8.2 Accounting and Auditing; title: Chapter 9. Privatisation; title: 9.1 Opportunities for International Investors; title: 9.2 Legal and Institutional Framework; title: Chapter 10. Science, Technology, and Education; title: 10.1 Research and Development Reform; title: 10.2 Applied Research Fund; title: 10.3 Technological Centres and Parks; title: 10.4 Participation in International R&amp;D Programmes; title: 10.5 Education in Latvia; title: PART III. ASSESSMENT OF LATVIA'S FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS; title: Chapter 11. Assessment of Latvia's Foreign Direct Investment Laws and Regulations; title: 11.1 The General Climate for Investment; title: 11.2 The Legal and Regulatory Framework; title: 11.3 Conclusion; title: Annexes; title: A. Government Representatives and Agencies; title: B. Relevant Treaties; title: C. Setting Up a Company in Latvia; title: D. List of Relevant Laws to the Foreign Investor; title: E. Useful Addresses; title: F. Other Information