The goal of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LAIR) next year is to attract investments of 1 billion euros, said LAIR director Ieva Egere.
She noted that when planning activities for 2026 in the field of export promotion, LAIR will focus on industries with high added value and expanding activities in priority markets. The export goal is to achieve an increase of 300 million euros, organize participation in 70 international exhibitions and trade missions, and provide support to enterprises in the form of grants to facilitate exports.
In the tourism sector, it is planned to increase the number of foreign tourists by 150,000 and implement campaigns to promote tourism, especially business tourism.
According to Egere's forecasts, next year will see trends similar to this year, including investor caution due to geopolitical risks and an increase in demand for safe and predictable locations in Europe with access to green energy and sustainable supply chains. As a result, an increase in the number of new projects is expected.
Speaking about the major challenges, the director of LAIR noted that for countries like Latvia, the main task is to be visible, emphasizing what they can offer. Latvia's advantage is speed and predictability. Tools such as the "Green Corridor" and the Council for Major Strategically Important Investment Projects, led by the Prime Minister, can significantly accelerate project implementation.
Another issue is the availability of a sufficient number of highly qualified specialists, which necessitates the development of a clearer and more understandable system for attracting them for enterprises. Another challenge is the lack of suitable infrastructure - ready industrial areas, logistics capabilities, and green energy that investors need. As a successful solution, Egere mentioned municipal industrial parks, where infrastructure has been specifically adapted to the needs of investors.
