In a situation of growing global economic crisis and complications caused by the war, replacing a minister that is responsible for resolving very important economic issues is irresponsible, according to Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LTRK).
As it is known, Latvia’s Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš announced on Monday, 16 May, that the Minister of Economics Jānis Vitenbergs will have to leave his post. LTRK stresses that the Minister of Economics has a lot on his plate right now: energy crisis and development of alternative energy technologies. These two issues are vital to how Latvia’s residents will spend the next winter and how Latvia’s economy overcomes the economic consequences from Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Replacing the minister now is politically irresponsible because it will only slow down work with priority directions, LTRK stresses.
LTRK President Aigars Rostovskis comments: «Replacing the minister responsible for such important sectors like energy and supplies, which directly affects how we will be living this autumn in winter – will people have heating in their homes and will entrepreneurs be provided with energy resources – in a time when the war rages in Ukraine and the global economic crisis is getting worse us politically irresponsible. Although at first cooperation with the minister was not too successful due to his lack of experience and understanding of what is truly important, he has learned a great deal since then. Both LTRK and Latvian Employers’ Confederation have established working relations with [Minister of Economics Jānis] Vitenbergs.»
LTRK is a politically neutral association of entrepreneurs that unites micro, small, medium and large companies from all of Latvia’s regions and sectors of the national economy. Members-wise LTRK is the biggest association of entrepreneurs, combining close to 6 000 members (3 000 individual companies and 3 000 members from other associations). The turnover of individual LTRK members exceeded EUR 17.8 billion in 2020.