Discover the small Baltic country of Latvia, starting with its capital city of Riga. A legend has it that Riga, - a city full of cultural and historic attractions, will "never be complete, and will be (for)ever changing and developing."

As a small country in today’s globalized world, Latvia recognizes the importance of attracting foreign investment in order to sustain economic development. As a thriving democracy, Latvia has consistently pursued liberal economic policies and welcomes investments that foster principles and benefits associated with free markets.

Indeed, World Bank’s report Doing Business 2016 (link is external) ranks Latvia as 22nd out of 189 countries for ease of doing business, measuring quantitative indicators of regulations and the protection of property rights.

Latvia has a unique geographical and cultural position, providing a strategic location for business operations targeting developed economies of the EU and emerging markets of eastern neighbours. Latvia is a natural gateway between the US, EU and Asia (especially Russia/CIS). Advantages enabling successful trade include:

Latvia’s external trade and customs policy is based on free trade principles. Latvia is an EU country, a member of Schengen and an active participant of the World Trade Organization, enjoying all the benefits of free and open trade in the world’s markets. Customs and border procedures have been standardized for effective planning and coordination with trade partners around the world. Furthermore, Latvia has also become a full-fledged OECD member.

Domestic companies continue to develop their exports, creating an environment of knowledge and ability that enable firms to grow their businesses in Latvia and abroad. Latvia’s history has prepared its workforce with knowledge of business and cultural norms that enable partnership with Western European countries, and particularly with Russia and other CIS countries.

The Latvian labour force is multi-lingual and relatively well educated, ready to take on new challenges and is highly motivated. Countries with better-trained or better-motivated workforces than Latvia are few and far between. Latvia’s workforce is ranked in the top five in the world in terms of university students per capita. Latvians take pride in having strong work ethics being an integral part of Northern European culture, while at the same time having and extensive experience and knowledge of doing business with Russia.

Higher education: Latvian labour force is well educated, with one of the highest rates of university attendance in the world. In 2015/2016 there were 84 282 students attaining 59 higher education and 54 professional education institutions, 3 of which are branches of foreign universities.

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• Baltic International Academy

• Daugavpils University

• Higher School of Psychology

• Latvian Academy of Arts

• Latvian Academy of Culture

• Latvian Academy of Music

• Latvian Academy of Sports Education

• Latvian Maritime Academy

• Latvian University of Agriculture

• Liepaja Pedagogical Higher School

• Medical Academy of Latvia

• National Defence Academy of Latvia

• Police Academy of Latvia

• Rezekne Higher School

• Riga Aviation University

• Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy

• Riga Technical University

• Stockholm School of Economics in Riga

• University of Latvia

• Vidzeme University College

• MANY MORE.