The number of non-cash payments in Latvia totalled 394.2mn in the first half of 2023, which was 10% more than in the same period of 2022, the Bank of Latvia reported. The total value of non-cash payments amounted to EUR 150.7bn, which was up 26% from a year earlier. The average number of payments was…
Estonia’s real GDP will decline by 2.0% in 2023, according to the Ministry of Finance’s latest forecast, BNS reports. The GDP will grow by 2.7% in 2024, by 3.0% in 2025, by 2.5% in 2026, and by 2.2% in 2027, the ministry projects. Earlier, the ministry expected real GDP to drop by 1.5% in 2023…
The Lithuanian Migration Department (LMD) has refused to grant asylum to Belarusian activist Volha Karach on national security grounds, LRT reports. The State Security Department (VSD) revealed that Karach had cooperated with Russian intelligence services, providing them with information about the Belarusian regime and opposition. In exchange, Russian intelligence services helped Karach manage her image….
Altogether 263 companies in Latvia continue to export goods to Russia or Belarus, according to the Central Statistical Bureau, LSM reports. The data show that 169 businesses export goods to Russia and 94 to Belarus. The list includes 38 companies that began doing business with Russia or Belarus after the start of the full-scale Russian…
Most Estonians want Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to resign amid a scandal involving her husband, according to polls, ERR reports. In a Norstat survey for the Institute of Social Research (YI), 57% of respondents said that Kallas should resign, while 31% said that she should provide an explanation but could continue as prime minister. Another…
Lithuania’s Transport Minister, Marius Skuodis, hopes that state-owned passenger train operator LTG Link open a regular connection between the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, and Latvian capital Riga in 2024, BNS reports. Skuodis discussed the possibility of resuming a passenger train connection from Vilnius via Siauliai to Riga and Daugavpils with LTG Link’s CEO, Linas Bauzys. The…
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is under pressure after ERR revealed that Keila-based logistics company Stark Logistics, in which her husband, Arvo Hallik, owns nearly 25% of shares, has continued to do business in Russia. Stark Logistics has shipped metal containers manufactured by Tallinn-based Metaprint to Russia. The majority owner of both Metaprint and Stark Logistics…
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has nominated New Unity’s Evika Silina for prime minister, LETA reports. Silina would replace New Unity leader Krisjanis Karins, who announced his resignation from the premiership earlier. Silina serves as minister of welfare in the current government. Rinkevics expressed confidence that Silina would be able to form the broadest possible coalition…
Lithuania does not rule out closing its borders with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region, Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite stated, The New Voice of Ukraine reports. She discussed the situation with the commander of the State Border Guard Service (VSAT). Bilotaite stressed that Lithuania must be prepared for various threats along the borders. Earlier, Lithuania decided…