Regarding the conference scheduled for 16 December at LBTU
On 16 December from 10:00, the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies – LBTU (formerly the Latvia University of Agriculture – LLU) will host the scientific conference “Innovations in Bioeconomy” in its Great Hall (Aula). Scientists, policymakers, and interested parties from across Europe are invited to attend to learn about current industry trends and examples of best practice in various bioeconomy sectors. During the conference, there will be an opportunity to become acquainted with experience stories from both Latvia and other countries. The event will also be available to watch live on the LBTU YouTube channel and the university’s website.
Regarding industry-relevant news
Between 19 October and 25 November 2022, the Lifelong Learning Centre of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies invited construction specialists (construction project developers, construction contractors and managers, site supervisors, and construction experts, as well as architects) to participate in a free training seminar series titled “Design of Timber Structures and Construction Solutions for Buildings”.
In these training seminars, specialists from various construction sectors had the opportunity to increase their competence regarding the use of wood in construction (covering topics such as Wood products for construction – production, properties, and quality criteria; Properties and basic requirements for timber structures; and Design of timber buildings), thereby promoting the use of wood in various construction projects. A total of 15 training seminars were organised with 366 participants, which demonstrates the interest of specialists in using wood in construction.
To strengthen the representation of industry interests, a presidium has been established within the Latvian Forest Industry Federation. Alongside the organisation’s president, Indulis Kovisārs, it will include two vice-presidents: Andis Araks, Chairman of the Board of SIA Krauzers, and the outgoing Executive Director of the federation, Kristaps Klauss, who will be succeeded in this role by Artūrs Bukonts.
Promoting good corporate governance is important in public administration, the private sector, as well as in the work of non-governmental organisations, as it ensures the transparency of decisions made, sustainable development, the hearing of all stakeholder views, and their balanced consideration, while upholding the rule of law.
Jurģis Jansons, Director of the LSFRI Silava and Doctor of Forest Science, on communicating science to the public – the successes and challenges, its audience, as well as the importance of forest science in the sector.
Forest industry organisations – the Latvian Forest Industry Federation, the Latvian Forest Owners’ Association, and AS “Latvijas valsts meži” – categorically reject the attack on the independent Latvian timber measurement system expressed in the article by journalist Ritums Rozenbergs published in the newspaper “Neatkarīgā Rīta Avīze” on 2 December.
“Rīgas Meži” plans to commence logging operations near Kalngale at the end of 2022 (in the Kalngale district of the Gauja forest management unit of “Rīgas Meži”, Ādažu municipality, Carnikava parish). The work will be carried out in accordance with the company’s “Forest Management Plan”, which prioritises areas of biological value, nature, and recreation, as well as reducing the total area for forest management operations.
Regarding the Golden Cone (Zelta čiekurs)
The “Golden Cone” is the annual highest honour in the forest sector for significant achievements and contributions to the industry. The award was established to recognise Latvia’s best forest workers and thank them for their work, as well as to introduce the public to Latvia’s best foresters, timber industry professionals, industry scientists, and educators. This year, the award is being presented for the nineteenth time. Since the inception of the competition, the Forest Sector Annual Award has been presented to almost 200 Latvian foresters, industry researchers, entrepreneurs, and associations.
Regarding economic and political processes
Even though there is a great deal of uncertainty in the market, we have been living in these conditions for nearly three years and have, to a certain extent, become accustomed to it; the market has by no means come to a standstill, and commercial banks have had and continue to have a desire to lend to promising and profitable business projects.
The Fiscal Discipline Council has generally approved the Ministry of Finance (FM) macroeconomic forecasts for 2022 and for the development of the medium-term budget framework for 2023-2025, but points to several significant risks that may negatively affect the further development of the national economy, representatives of the Fiscal Discipline Council reported.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, as the Managing Authority for the Interreg VI-A Latvia-Lithuania Programme 2021-2027 (the programme), invites interested parties to apply for the programme’s first project call from 28 November of this year until 17:00 on 29 March 2023.
The programme is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the amount of 29.2 million euros, with a maximum support intensity of 80% of the project’s eligible costs.
About the industry and beyond
In November 2022, Prudentia, in cooperation with Nasdaq offices in the Baltic states, offered lists of the most valuable companies in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for public discussion. The basis of this initiative is the developers’ desire to spark conversations and strengthen the understanding of company value as an important benchmark for further development.
The Skrīveri Dendrological Park is an important heritage site for Latvian and European history, dendrology, manor park landscapes, and culture, which has changed over time. To ensure the long-term development of the park, its activities must be linked to science and the realisation of public recreation and educational functions.
On Tuesday, 6 December, the government approved the regulations prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture (ZM) titled “Statutes of the Agricultural Advisory Council”, determining the criteria for non-governmental organisations to be included in the advisory council.
For the 2022/2023 hunting season, the State Forest Service has set the permitted wolf hunting quota at 280 animals. According to the order of the State Forest Service, from the moment that only 10 animals remain until the completion of the permitted wolf hunting quota, wolf hunting is allowed only upon individual notification, coordinating with the hunting engineer of the respective regional office of the State Forest Service. This is necessary to ensure that the permitted wolf hunting quota is not exceeded.
Over time, several reforms have taken place, but I have never seen an assessment of whether they have actually brought any good. However, apart from its people, the forest is our country’s greatest treasure. It also brings significant additions to the budget; therefore, in my opinion, in the name of austerity, one should not continuously reform and optimise the service whose duty it is to protect, preserve, and economically manage these assets.
Although what is being discussed in the government declaration working groups is being kept under great secrecy, snippets of information are leaking out here and there. Politicians from New Unity (Jaunā Vienotība), including Evika Siliņa, are attempting to persuade coalition partners of the need to respect the idea of listing state-owned enterprises on the stock exchange.
If the National Alliance and the United List succumb to their colleagues from the Prime Minister’s party, then profitable companies such as “Latvenergo”, “Latvijas valsts meži”, “Augstsprieguma tīkls”, and others will soon find themselves on the stock exchange list.
Regarding interesting news
Construction work on the Brasa Bridge in Riga will continue throughout the winter. The timely completion of this significant infrastructure object is a concern not only for many residents of Riga but also for countless participants and visitors to the Song and Dance Festival expected next summer. Therefore, it was decided not to announce a technological break for the winter during the construction.
currenttime.tv (a de facto successor to Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, and Voice of America) has prepared an interesting feature on the Baloži peat train.
A selection of topical cartoons
Pixabay photograph used