Tax overview of the Baltic countries

Rodl & Partner tax experts in the Baltics have recently prepared a Tax Table 2023 including a comprehensive resource and detailed information on the tax rates in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, as well as any changes that have occurred over the past months. It is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to understand the evolving tax landscape in the Baltic region.

RBS welcomes over 100 graduates of Greenhouse program

On February 4, Riga Business School (RBS) celebrated the RBS Greenhouse program graduation with more than 1️00 graduates. In 2022 RBS received 80 applicants and this year the number of applications reached 150. RBS Greenhouse graduate Eduards Valainis was awarded the scholarship for the first year of studies at RBS for outstanding performance during the program. The young people enjoyed 3 weeks trying out studies at RBS by participating in lectures and workshops provided by RBS partner companies Luminor Latvija, Tet, SEB Latvia and Tietoevry Latvia.

Latvia's place stagnant in Corruption Perception Index

According to Delna, compared with 2021 Latvia’s Corruption Perception Index in 2022 has remained unchanged – 59 out of 100. This is significantly lower when compared with other member states of the European Union and OECD. It also indicates that Latvia will likely fail to accomplish the goals outlined in the National Development Plan 2021-2027, specifically reaching a score of 64 points in 2024 and 67 in 2027.

Freedom of Flame inventors to help Ukraine

Karlis Cerbulis, Chairman of the Board of NCH Baltics is among the volunteers who invented the wood-gas stoves "Freedom Flame" with an aim to help Ukrainians. The volunteer battalion “Carpathian Sich” and other units on the Ukrainian front have started testing them in Ukraine. The oven has a double wall, smoke gases are burned and the flame is clean.

At the end of January members of the Healthcare work group discussed the progress of the ongoing healthcare pilots: VBHC concept, healthcare financing and digital health. They also touched upon the communication campaign covering all the above-mentioned pilots and priority areas as well as cooperation with the new government. Members also had an opportunity to learn more about the Pink Train Foundation and on potential ways of cooperation.

Featuring members throughout 2023

AmCham will celebrate the importance of the Latvian American business relationship throughout the entire Anniversary year by bringing out the best stories of American and other international companies in Latvia and offering a vision into the future. Share your success stories to highlight business relationships between Latvia and the U.S. Take a look at the first Anniversary video featuring AmCham Vice President Pauls Miklasevics!

AmChams in Europe Celebrates its 60th Anniversary

In 2023, AmChams in Europe (ACE) celebrates its 60th Anniversary. Established in 1963, ACE serves as the umbrella organization for 46 AmChams from 44 countries throughout Europe and Eurasia. As a bilateral voice of American and European companies, ACE works to communicate the importance of the transatlantic economy in both Europe and the United States.

Abbott joins AmCham

Abbott, a global healthcare company, dedicated to improving people’s health at all ages and stages of life has recently joined the Chamber as a Corporate Contributing member. For more than 130 years, Abbott has been creating products and technologies that address some of the world’s most pressing health problems. Today, its portfolio includes diagnostics, medical devices, medicines and nutrition products. We warmly welcome Abbott to the AmCham community!

On January 26, AmCham Board held its semi-annual retreat to discuss the strategic direction for 2023. AmCham will continue to focus on fostering trade and investment between Latvia and the U.S., improving the business and investment climate and enhancing Latvia’s human capital. In addition, AmCham will continue to address tax policy for foreign investors in order to increase competitiveness and FDI. Sustainability, the digital economy, and greater social engagement will also be among the focus areas this year.
 

On January 26, AmCham held an online discussion on fostering a culture of philanthropy for a greater social impact. Joining were two experts Konrad Siwinski, Representative of Social Impact Alliance for CEE and Janis Taukacs, Partner at Sorainen who explained the current tax policy with regard to donations and listed some of the key barriers to greater social engagement of companies.