Conference participants on the development of the Eastern border presented their conclusions to the Saeima subcommittee on Latgale. The main conclusion: investments allocated until 2027 "are insufficient to promote the development of the economy and human resources." "The plan should include more ambitious tasks for the development of the region."
Stop the Exodus
The first and foremost task is to stop the outflow of population from Latgale. For example: "We need to create motivational programs so that students continue their education in border higher schools, so that such students have the opportunity to master programs that are in demand both in the Latvian market and in Latgale."
According to the conference participants, special scholarships, state payment of student loans, and other compensations should be introduced for those who decide to work in the region for at least 5 years after graduation. Daugavpils University and the Rezekne Academy of RTU should act as anchor institutions to support local and attract foreign human resources. Universities need to introduce education in the Latgalian language!
Provide Money, Cancel Taxes
Currently, the weak point of the region in terms of entrepreneurship is the remote distance from airports and ports. The existing free economic zones do not actually provide conditions for investment, and there is a shortage of labor.
The proposal is to increase the "basket of benefits" for investors, find a mechanism to compensate transportation costs to the air and sea gates of the republic so that entrepreneurs can recover their funds in at least 10-20 years.
Workers in free economic zones need:
- to provide discounts on personal income tax;
- benefits in the taxation of natural resources and electricity;
- support in the form of grants for purchasing equipment and modernizing production.
As for the corporate income tax, a 100% discount is recommended. That is, a complete cancellation of it.
And There Are Also Not Enough Sirens
The development of Latgale is unthinkable without solutions in the field of security — it is proposed to improve communication with the population, modernize existing systems, and build new warning systems (sirens), and ensure quality mobile communication. When building defensive lines in the region, local industry should be prioritized for orders.
From the perspective of added value, the popularization of the Latgalian language and culture is also considered. In 2026, there will be a "significant presence" of Latvian public media in Daugavpils. The conference also recommended – "to include the teaching of the Latgalian language in the general education program not as an elective subject or interest-based education, but as a mandatory subject."
Dreamed and That's Enough
"There is nothing special in Latgale, it is the same Latvia, and we need to look at everything as a whole," said Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis at the conference.
