://baltic-course.com/eng/ The Baltic Course - International Internet Magazine. Baltic States News & Analysis, Baltic market reviews eng Sat, 20 Apr 2024 06:30:08 +0200 Baltic Course, The [email protected] [email protected] ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161624 The LLC (SIA) BONO enters the sawn timber market and plans to attract investments in the amount of 100 million euro to reach 1 billion turnover within 3 years. Fri, 28 Jan 2022 17:00:00 +0100 1643385600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161622 LLC Dizozols Investments has successfully carried out one of the biggest investment attraction projects in the Baltics attracting 2.77 million euros in investment from more than 3500 investors with the crowdfunding platform Crowdestor, returning 3.46 million euros, which ensures 690,000 euro profit to investors. Thu, 26 Aug 2021 17:00:00 +0200 1629990000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161599 What an irony of the destiny that in the year of its 25th anniversary an international magazine The Baltic Course is leaving the market of mass media. A website about business and analytical news of Baltic States shall remain in the World Wide Web, but starting from 1 January 2021 it will no longer add new articles. This is a final decision. This is not a bankruptcy, our small firm doesn’t have a single debt, not even to the state. Wed, 30 Dec 2020 22:00:00 +0100 1609362000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161595 The European Union will buy an additional 100 million doses of the BioNTech and Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, cites LETA/STT. Wed, 30 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1609322400 ://baltic-course.com/eng/tourism/?doc=161594 Hotels' interest in providing self-isolation services to Covid-19 patients and persons who have come into contact with infected people is very strong, Santa Graikste, head of the Hotel and Restaurant Association, told LETA. Wed, 30 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1609322400 ://baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=161587 The government in Latvia decided in principle on Tuesday to impose curfew during the coming New Year's holidays and Orthodox Christmas in order to restrict the movement of people, informs LETA. Tue, 29 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1609272000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161582 According to SEB, contrary to fears, more companies have been registered in Estonia in 2020 than last year, but April was a much more passive month compared to April of last year, cites LETA/BNS. Tue, 29 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1609236000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=161581 Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda signed the 2021 budget bill with a deficit target of 7% of GDP into law on December 29th, cites LETA/BNS. Tue, 29 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1609236000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161580 The Tartu city government has decided to financially support a team of Estonian students who are planning to take part in the renowned Bridgestone World Solar Challenge race of solar powered cars in Australia in 2021, informs LETA/BNS. Mon, 28 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1609185600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=161579 Up to two tons of crude oil spilled on Monday from the loading buoy at the Butinge oil terminal of the Polish-owned Lithuanian oil refining and import company Orlen Lietuva, the Environment Ministry said, based on preliminary data. No oil has been detected on the Baltic Sea coast from Sventoji to Liepaja after Monday's spill at the Butinge crude terminal, the Lithuanian unit of Poland's oil group Orlen said, cites LETA/BNS. Mon, 28 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1609185600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161575 On Monday morning, the first people received the Covid-19 vaccines at Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital in Latvia, the hospital's representative Janita Veinberga reported LETA. Mon, 28 Dec 2020 12:00:00 +0100 1609153200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=161593 As with every year, we at Rietumu Bank have created special 2021 holiday greeting cards and calendars for our clients. Mon, 28 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1609149600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161576 HeidelbergCement Group, which also includes the Estonian company Kunda Nordic Tsement AS, is to install the world's first full-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility in its cement plant in southern Norway, informs LETA/BNS. Mon, 28 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1609149600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161568 Latvian national airline airBaltic will organize a repatriation flight from the United Kingdom on December 28, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said after a video conference with his Baltic counterparts today, informs LETA. Wed, 23 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1608753600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161569 Flying Forward 2020, a consortium made up of 30 partners, is about to start developing a new urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem for the European Union, focusing primarily on drones, informs LETA/BNS. Wed, 23 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608717600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161564 LTG Infra, the infrastructure subsidiary of Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai (Lithuanian Railways, LTG), has took over the ownership of land necessary for the construction of the European-gauge railway Rail Baltica's stretch from Kaunas to the border with Latvia, informs LETA/BNS. Wed, 23 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608717600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=161563 German-owned retailer Lidl Lietuva will have to destroy 38,400 cartons of chicken eggs delivered from Ukraine, which have been found to be contaminated with Salmonella, the Lithuanian State Food and Veterinary Service said on December 22nd, cites LETA/BNS. Wed, 23 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608717600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=161565 As the New Year's celebrations are approaching, local governments are banned from organizing fireworks, according to the decision of the joint meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Crisis Management Council, said Health Minister of Latvia Ilze Vinkele (For Development), cites LETA. Wed, 23 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608717600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=161562 Face masks will be mandatory also in nature trails and by environment sites where distancing among people are not possible, said Health Minister of Latvia Ilze Vinkele (For Development) after the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Crisis Management Council. Wed, 23 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0100 1608714000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161556 Results of the survey conducted by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) in 2020 show that, compared to 2018, in 2019 household disposable income (1) increased by 6.8 %, reaching 583 euros per household member monthly. Tue, 22 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1608667200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=161555 Initially, 4,875 medics will be vaccinated against Covid-19 in Latvia, said State Medicines Agency (ZVA) director Svens Henkuzens in a press conference today, informs LETA. Tue, 22 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1608667200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161550 The first batch of Covid-19 vaccines that will be delivered to Latvia shortly is expected to contain 9,750 doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine, LETA was told at the State Medicines Agency. Tue, 22 Dec 2020 12:00:00 +0100 1608634800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/forums/?doc=161592 The Swedish Ambassador to Latvia, Ms Karin Hőglund, recently hosted an online broadcast from the photo exhibition “Icons – an Exhibition about the Right to Exist”, which opened in early December in Rietumu Gallery. Tue, 22 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608631200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=161552 Due to the aggressive spread of the new coronavirus strain in the United Kingdom, flights to and from the UK have been suspended and also the movement of parcels from the UK to Estonia and vice versa has been halted until the new year. Lietuvos Pastas (Lithuanian Post) also has warned of delays in parcel deliveries to and from the United Kingdom amid new transport restrictions, informs LETA/BNS. Tue, 22 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608631200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=161549 The Baltic states must strengthen cooperation in containing the Covid-19 pandemic and mitigating its consequences, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) said in a video meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.  Tue, 22 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608631200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161548 Latvia completed a new high-voltage power line to Estonia on Monday in the latest step in aligning electricity grids in the Baltic states with European Union neighbors instead of Russia, informs LETA. Tue, 22 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608631200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161545 The European Commission on Monday authorized the vaccine against Covid-19 developed by Pfizer and BioNTech for use in the European Union (EU), paving the way for the start of vaccination in the next few days, informs LETA/AFP/DPA. Mon, 21 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1608580800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=161542 The Supervisory Board of JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” (LVM) has concluded a comprehensive evaluation of the round timber assortment sales process. Based on compliance, financial, economic and legal examination performed by independent experts, the Supervisory Board concludes that the process of selling round timber assortments organized by LVM complies with the requirements of legislation and internal regulations, as well as has been economically justified, providing the company with an additional profit of 14.5 million euros during the period between 2016 and 2020. Mon, 21 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +0100 1608559200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161540 Estonian identity verification company Veriff is partnering with the Estonian mobility platform Bolt to verify their users in a number of European states, informs LETA/BNS. Mon, 21 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0100 1608555600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=161539 The third Estonian-Latvian electricity connection has been completed and will commence operation on Jan. 1; the total cost of the new connection for the two countries is approximately 170 million euros, informs LETA/BNS. Mon, 21 Dec 2020 13:00:00 +0100 1608552000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161536 As of 2021, Scandinavian shipper Stena Line will be operating two ferries on the Ventspils-Nynashamn route - the Stena Scandica and the Stena Baltica, representatives of Stena Line informed LETA. Mon, 21 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608544800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161535 Taking into consideration reports of a new Covid-19 variant circulating in the United Kingdom, the Latvian government tonight banned passenger traffic with the UK from Monday, December 21, till January 1, State Chancellery spokeswoman Ilze Pavlova informed LETA. Mon, 21 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608544800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161532 Swedish technology company Hanza Holding AB is expanding its capacity for regional manufacturing in the Baltics by investing about 80 million Swedish kronor or 7.9 million euros in a new production facility of just over 12,000 square meters in Tartu, Estonia, reports LETA/BNS. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 22:00:00 +0100 1608325200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161533 Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu said that the end of the Brexit transition period on Jan. 1, 2021, entails a number of changes that do not depend on the ongoing negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom over future relations, informs LETA/BNS. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1608321600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161531 The goal for Saunum Group, which made its debut on the First North market of Nasdaq Baltic on Friday, is to try and make it to the markets of Germany and Sweden in 2021, CEO Henri Lindal said on December 18th, cites LETA/BNS. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1608321600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161528 Estonian beverage house Saku Olletehas started the large-scale export of its output to Russia this fall, and the new export agreement is one of the largest for Saku in recent years, Saku Olletehas Board Member Jaan Harms said LETA/BNS. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +0100 1608307200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=161527 In November 2020, electric power generation in Latvia decreased by 21% from November 2019, Augstsprieguma Tikls (AST) transmission system operator's representative Aija Ikstena reported LETA. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 16:10:00 +0100 1608304200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161526 At the year's last meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, several agreements were reached by the ministers, including on an EU-wide animal welfare label and fishing quotas, wrties LETA/BNS. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 15:40:00 +0100 1608302400 ://baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=161522 With the coronavirus on the rise once more during the final quarter of the year, the number of online shoppers has notably increased in nearly all product groups, it appears from the latest study of trends in online commerce conducted by pollster Kantar Emor, writes LETA/BNS. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +0100 1608300000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=161517 Data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in 11 months of 2020, the number of births continues to decrease - 16.2 thousand births were registered in Latvia, which is 6.0 % less than in January – November 2019 (17.2 thousand). Fri, 18 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +0100 1608300000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161512 Riga Airport has been Certified as a COVID-19 4-Star Airport, by international air transport rating agency Skytrax. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 13:20:00 +0100 1608294000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=161516 Data of the Labor Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in November 2020 the actual unemployment rate comprised 7.9%, which is 0.2 percentage points more than in October, writes LETA. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 12:40:00 +0100 1608291600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=161515 Residential property prices in Lithuania edged up by 0.4% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter, Statistics Lithuania said on Friday. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 12:10:00 +0100 1608289800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161508 According to Statistics Estonia, in the third quarter of 2020, the Dwelling Price Index increased by 2.3% compared to the second quarter and by 3.9% compared to the third quarter of 2019. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 12:00:00 +0100 1608289200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=161507 According to Statistics Estonia, 2.3% of the population of Estonia lived in absolute poverty and 20.7% lived at risk of poverty in 2019. Compared to 2018, the share of people at risk of poverty fell by one percentage point. The share of people living in absolute poverty rose by 0.1 percentage point. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 12:00:00 +0100 1608289200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=161513 Latvia's economic performance this year will be better than previously forecast, according to a monitoring report by the Fiscal Discipline Council (FDP), cites LETA. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 11:20:00 +0100 1608286800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=161519 Several shopping malls have extended their opening hours on Friday, LETA learned after talking to Riga shopping centers. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608285600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161506 The Estonian government on Thursday approved an order to continue economic crisis support measures also in 2021, among other things, a support measure for areas under the area of government of the Ministry of Culture was agreed upon involving support to culture, sport and adults' hobby activities. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608285600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=161504 Passenger turnover at Riga Airport in November this year decreased by 90.9 % compared to November 2019. The total number of flights was 1 903, that is 70.1 % less. Data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that total volume of arrivals and departures of freight and mail decreased by 4.5 % (1). Fri, 18 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608285600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/direct_speech/?doc=161503 The Lithuanian parliament could declare a state of emergency if people failed to follow the lockdown restrictions imposed by the government to get the spread of COVID-19 under control, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said, cites LETA. "If it is decided, or more precisely, if there is a need, if the numbers do not fall and the public fail to come to the understanding that the situation has to be taken seriously, then the Seimas could be asked to impose additional restrictions," Landsbergis, the chairman of the conservative Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats, the biggest party in the parliament, said in an interview with BNS. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608285600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states_cis/?doc=161511 Following this week's announcement by Belarus' Belorusskaya Neftyanaya Kompaniya (Belarusian Oil Company, BNK) that it is suspending a part of its exports via Klaipeda, it is unclear if Minsk has started carrying out its threat to divert cargoes to other ports, or it is only a temporary decision, writes LETA/BNS. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 10:20:00 +0100 1608283200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161502 The European Union on December 17th expanded its sanctions on Belarus to include businessmen and firms close to Alexander Lukashenko's regime, as it stepped up pressure over a crackdown on protests, informs LETA/AFP. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:30:00 +0100 1608280200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=161501 The Latvian army is prepared to ensure the necessary logistics associated with the Covid-19 vaccine, National Armed Forces Commander Leonids Kalnins told Latvian Television this morning, cites LETA. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0100 1608278400 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161499 The Estonian government at its sitting on December 17th approved an overview prepared by the Ministry of Finance on state aid and "de minimis" aid granted in Estonia last year, the total amount of which was 434.7 million euros, informs LETA/BNS. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0100 1608278400 ://baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=161500 Amateur sports practices will be allowed only outdoors as of December 21 in a group of up to ten people, according to the decision made by the government in Latvia on December 17th, informs LETA. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 08:30:00 +0100 1608276600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161496 The European Commission has approved EUR 70.8 million program for Latvia to support companies affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, LETA learned from the European Commission's representative in Latvia, Kristine Liepina. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 20:00:00 +0100 1608231600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=161495 Latvian airline airBaltic on December 17 made a delivery flight of its last remaining Boeing 737 aircraft to its new owners Estonia's Magnetic MRO, BC learned from the company. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 19:30:00 +0100 1608229800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161493 All beauty salons in Latvia will be closed from December 21 to January 11, the government decided on Thursday, report LETA. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 18:50:00 +0100 1608227400 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161492 During the time period from December 19 until January 11, there will restrictions in trade of non-essential goods, while the range of allowed goods will be expanded, according to the amendments to the regulations on the state of emergency adopted by the government today, writes LETA/BNS. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 18:20:00 +0100 1608225600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=161489 Startup Wise Guys together with EIT Digital have launched their 3rd annual Baltic Startup Scene report, the largest to-date. For the first time ever, Baltic startups saw a reduction in total funding in 2019. Despite this, survey insights along with funding data for 2020 reveal that investor and startup optimism is rebounding, with 2020 H1 significantly outperforming 2019 H1 in terms of funding, even with the onset of a pandemic-induced economic downturn. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 17:23:00 +0100 1608222180 ://baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=161484 Data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that at the end of the 3rd quarter of the year 2020, there were 20.8 thousand job vacancies in Latvia and, compared to the 3rd quarter of the year 2019, this number has decreased by 8.4 thousand or 28.7 %. There were 7.9 thousand job vacancies in the public sector, but 12.9 thousand in the private sector. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +0100 1608213600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=161488 The freight volume of Estonian ports increased to 27.9 million tons in the first nine months of 2020, which is 2 percent more than last year, while the volume of freight carried by rail decreased to 11.5 mln tons at the same time, which is approximately 30% less than in the same period a year ago, reported LETA/BNS. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0100 1608210000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161483 European Union countries will begin inoculating people against Covid-19 on December 27, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday, cites LETA/AFP. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0100 1608210000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=161487 According to the Dec. 8 decision of the listing and surveillance committee of Nasdaq Tallinn, up to 1,000,000 shares of Estonian developer of sauna heaters and indoor air conditioners Saunum Group with a nominal value of 0.1 euros will be admitted to trading on the First North alternative market, writes LETA/BNS. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 13:40:00 +0100 1608208800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=161481 Mobile checkpoints may be set up anywhere in Lithuania to enforce a ban on non-essential travel between municipalities in preparation for massive checks this weekend and during the holidays, police said LETA/BNS. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 11:40:00 +0100 1608201600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161480 The TSOs of the Baltic Sea Region responsible for maintaining and developing the transmission systems agreed today to start the preparation work for the establishment of a cooperation for the Baltic Sea offshore grid, informed Elering`s representative. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 11:20:00 +0100 1608200400 ://baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=161475 The Estonian government on Thursday is to allocate 3.5 million euros from the reserve to the Ministry of Justice for the payment of the so-called blank media levy, which is compensation paid when creators' audiovisual work or an audio recording of their work is copied without their consent for personal use, informs LETA/BNS. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608199200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161474 Latvia is pioneering an automated coronavirus testing station that can operate around the clock and virtually eliminate the risk of infection during the screening process, organizers told the AFP news agency on Deember 16th, cites LETA. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608199200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/education/?doc=161473 In the newly published ranking list of universities from emerging Europe and Central Asia, the University of Tartu has reached the second place, which is also the highest among Estonian universities. Lomonosov Moscow State University has been the first from the start, informs LETA/BNS. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608199200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=161472 A decision on limiting retransmission of the Russia RTR television channel in Latvia is coming soon, the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) head Ivars Abolins said in an interview with TV3 on December 17th, cites LETA. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 09:30:00 +0100 1608193800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=161471 The Estonian parliament on Wednesday passed a law regulating rent relations. The bill to amend the Law of Obligations Act initiated by the government was passed in the 101-seat chamber by a vote of 73 to eight, reports LETA/BNS. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0100 1608192000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161469 The Baltic media company TV3 Group and The Walt Disney Company Nordic and Baltic have entered into a content partnership, TV3 Group representative Lina Karklina informed LETA. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0100 1608192000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/Technology/?doc=161470 The Viljandi, South Estonia based manufacturer of parcel robots Cleveron, which asked for a loan of 30 million euros from Kredex for the establishment of a new parcel machine network, received a negative response to its request on Monday, the regional Sakala writes, cites LETA/BNS. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 08:30:00 +0100 1608190200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161467 Europeans planning to celebrate Christmas, New Year's and winter holidays in coming weeks with family and friends are advised to wear a face mask, the World Health Organization's (WHO) European office said Wednesday, reports LETA/DPA. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1608148800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=161466 The Lithuanian government has earmarked 65 million euros for vaccines in 2021 budget and another 80 million euros for other measures to combat the pandemic, Health Minister Arunas Dulkys said on Wednesday, cites LETA/BNS. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1608148800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=161465 The latest economic forecast from Eesti Pank expects the Estonian economy to recover from the crisis in 2021 and to return to where it was before the crisis in the second half of next year. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 18:20:00 +0100 1608139200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161460 Three Latvian businesses—IKTK, Rodentia and Igate Būve—have implemented an innovative green solution, manufacturing and constructing a modern electric car charging station from Glued Laminated Timber, or Glulam, in Denmark Wed, 16 Dec 2020 15:40:00 +0100 1608129600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161455 BPM Mezzanine Fund SICAV-SIF, SCA (BPM) invested in the buy-out of a well-known Latvian dairy company Smiltenes Piens in August 2019, as former owners of the company were looking forward to retire and Latvian entrepreneur Armands Kovaldiņš saw Smiltenes Piens with its well-known brands and quality leadership as an attractive target to be developed further and expand into export markets as well, informed BMP Mezznine Fund representative. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0100 1608123600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=161454 The joint tender submitted by OU Reaalprojekt and Nord Projekt AS in the amount of 1.86 million euros won the design tender announced in September for the Rail Baltic rolling stock depot to be built in the rural municipality of Rae near Tallinn, informs LETA/BNS. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0100 1608123600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161453 The vaccine against Covid-19 will be a "Christmas present" for all Europeans, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said in a Wednesday interview, informs LETA/DPA. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0100 1608123600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161452 The latest Covid-19 statistics released by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) on Wednesday suggest that even harsher restrictions are needed to bring the virus under control, President Egils Levits and Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) believe, informed LETA. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 13:40:00 +0100 1608122400 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161450 The Estonian company Milrem Robotics and the European Commission have signed an agreement on the basis of which the Estonian state will lead the 32.6 million euro Integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System (iMUGS) project with seven European Union member states, the aim of which is to develop a standard solution for the European unmanned ground system, informs LETA/BNS. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 12:00:00 +0100 1608116400 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161449 Estonian transport company Bolt announced on Wednesday that it has raised 150 million euros in its biggest investment round ever, informs LETA/BNS. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 12:00:00 +0100 1608116400 ://baltic-course.com/eng/forums/?doc=161451 A global business summit, a joint initiative of Estonia and the United Arab Emirates, is to be held virtually on Wednesday; the summit seeks to bring together the public and private sector to expedite a digital turnaround in the fight against COVID-19, informs LETA/BNS. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608112800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=161447 In the first nine months of 2020, Latvian insurers and the Latvian branches of foreign insurance companies raised gross premiums 1.4% against the respective period in 2019, while gross insurance claims declined 5.3% year-on-year, informs LETA, according to the data released by the Finance and Capital Market Commission (FCMC). Wed, 16 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0100 1608112800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161448 Apollo Group opened Tallinn's first drive-through Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) fast food restaurant at 15a Mustakivi Street in the Lasnamae district on December 15th, cites LETA/BNS. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0100 1608105600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161446 Latvian insurance companies posted EUR 23.109 million in profit in January-September this year, an increase of 28.7% on the first nine months of 2019, informs LETA, according to the Financial and Capital Market Commission's data. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0100 1608105600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161442 Tighter lockdown restrictions come into force in Lithuania on Wednesday as the majority of stores, hairdressers close and movement of people is restricted, writes LETA/BNS. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0100 1608105600 ://baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=161445 In the first 11 months of 2020, shipping of rail freight in Latvia fell 44.8% from the same period a year ago to 21.227 million tons, writes LETA, according to the data released by the Transport Ministry. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 08:30:00 +0100 1608103800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161444 SEB, Swedbank and Danske Bank are being investigated by three federal authorities in the US, namely the Justice Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a federal prosecutor’s office in New York, Swedish business daily Dagens Industri reported without saying where it got the information, cites LETA/Bloomberg. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 08:30:00 +0100 1608103800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=161443 ithuanian Transport Minister Marius Skuodis has on Tuesday cancelled the decision made by his predecessor Jaroslav Narkevic at the end of his term over the appointment of a new board of the state-owned railway company Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai (Lithuanian Railways, LG), writes LETA/BNS. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0100 1608102000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=161441 The Health Ministry will propose to the government tighter restrictions on retail, as well as a ban on indoor events, Minister of Heath Ilze Vinkele (For Development) said after a Crisis Management Council meeting, writes LETA. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0100 1608102000 ://baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=161432 Latvian ports handled 41.064 million tons of cargo in January-November 2020, a decrease of 29.1% as compared to the same period in 2019, writes LETA, according to the Transport Ministry's data. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1608062400 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161431 A fifth ship-to-shore container crane has been delivered to Klaipedos Smelte, one of the biggest stevedoring companies in the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda, owned by international container terminal operator Terminal Investment, informs LETA/BNS. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0100 1608062400 ://baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=161428 Data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in October 2020, 90.1 thousand foreign and local guests were hosted at tourist accommodation establishments in Latvia, which is by 57.2 % less than in October 2019 and by 18.2 % less than in September 2019. Guests spent 185.5 thousand nights at tourist accommodation establishments, which is 54.5 % less than in October last year. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +0100 1608040800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161423 Members of the Estonian government at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday approved in principle support measures for the areas most affected by the additional coronavirus restrictions, amounting to more than 5 mln euros, writes LETA/BNS. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:10:00 +0100 1608037800 ://baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=161429 Although raising the maximum speed of passenger trains to 160 kilometers per hour (km/h) was set as a goal in the railway development agendas already in 2012, there is no intention or plan to achieve this in the next ten years, the Estonian National Audit Office said its review published on December 15, informs LETA/BNS. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0100 1608037200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_states/?doc=161430 nder existing plans, altogether 100,000 people are to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Estonia during the first quarter of next year, Minister of Social Affairs Tanel Kiik said at a press conference on December 15th, cites LETA/BNS. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0100 1608037200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161422 o far, EUR 552,166 worth of crisis support has been approved for 36 hotels in Latvia, LETA was told at the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA). Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0100 1608037200 ://baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=161414 In 2019, against 2018, an increase in gross domestic product (GDP) in Lithuania was recorded in all counties. The fastest GDP growth was observed in Vilnius (9.2%) and Marijampolė (8.7%) counties. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0100 1608037200