Lettonie
Reforms accomplished in Latvia and integration in the European Union have left a positive impact on economic development of the country. In the period from 1996 till 2003 Latvian gross domestic product (GDP) has grown on average by 6.1% annually. Among the other European countries only Ireland had higher growth rates in the same period of time.
This paper highlights the main reforms that have affected the Latvian pension system since 1991. It focuses on the three-tier model approved in 1995, which led to the introduction of voluntary funded schemes in 1998 and mandatory pension funds in 2001. The reform also led to the establishment of a new first tier where benefits are financed on a PAYG basis, but are based on individual actuarial principles. This is one of the few cases in the world of the so-called notional defined contribution system. As in Estonia, contribution collection, account management and record keeping are centralised. Banks and insurance companies can be pension fund managers but have only partial information about the affiliates. Supervision is carried out by the Financial and Capital Markets Commission...
This review analyses the key issues facing each of the Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - given its specific economic and social trends. It provides detailed information and policy recommendations in five topical areas: labour law; "active" and "passive" labour market policies; pension reform; long-term care of the elderly; and social assistance benefits as a last resort. This publication is part of the OECD’s ongoing co-operation with non-member economies around the world.
This conference proceedings takes a detailed look at the outlook for the dairy industry in the Baltics. It finds that intense competition for raw material, changing consumer demand and internationalisation are potent forces shaping the global dairy industry today and that impending EU accession offers the Baltic countries a unique window of opportunity to accelerate consolidation and to create a more economically viable and sustainable dairy sector.
In accordance with decisions made by the FDI, the OECD has initiated surveys on fiscal decentralisation for the purpose of providing international comparisons on the design of fiscal systems across levels of government. The FDI is a joint initiative of the OECD, the World Bank, USAID, the Council of Europe, The Open Society Institute, UNDP and OECD Member countries to assist transition economies in Central and Eastern Europe in carrying out intergovernmental reforms. In 2000 the surveys took place in six countries: three OECD Member countries, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, and the three Baltic States, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In "Fiscal Design Surveys across Levels of Government" OECD Tax Policy Studies, no 7, 2001, the overall concept of the surveys and the comparative results for the six countries are brought. The full country reports are available through www.OECD-iLibrary.org, and the internet site of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, www.oecd.org/daf/fa
La réforme des activités d'enseignement et de formation ainsi que la valorisation des ressources humaines font partie intégrante de la transition vers la démocratie et l'économie de marché. La Lettonie a réalisé des progrès dans tous ces domaines depuis le début des réformes en 1990. Tout le problème, pour le ministère de l'Education et de la Science, a été de promouvoir et de favoriser des réformes propres à répondre aux besoins d’une économie et d’une société nouvelles ainsi qu'aux intérêts de tous les jeunes et adultes, malgré la pénurie de ressources financières et humaines. Cet ouvrage donne un aperçu général des questions régionales, fait l'historique du système éducatif en Lettonie et décrit l'évolution de l'éducation dans ce pays depuis les changements politiques. Il présente ensuite une analyse du système éducatif tout entier et signale les principales orientations à suivre pour renforcer les réformes compte tenu des difficultés auxquelles ont dû faire face les décideurs, les collectivités, les entreprises, les éducateurs, les parents et les élèves dans un environnement en pleine mutation. En conclusion, il comprend une série de recommandations essentielles qui concernent les objectifs de l'éducation, l'efficacité des apprentissages, les débouchés et les programmes d'enseignement, la gestion et la gouvernance dans un souci de flexibilité, d'adaptabilité et d'évolution, et, enfin, les ressources et le financement. Cet examen sera d'une très grande utilité aux spécialistes lettons ainsi qu'à leurs homologues internationaux.
OECD's 2001 review of Latvia's education policies and programmes. It finds that reform of education, training and human resource development is an integral part of the transition to a democratic society and market economy. Latvia has made progress in all these areas since reform began in 1990. The challenge for the Ministry of Education and Science has been to promote and support changes that meet the needs of the new economy and society as well as the interests of all young people and adults, in the face of a shortage of financial and human resources. This book first gives a brief overview of regional issues and a history of education in Latvia and describes the development of education in the country since the political changes. It then presents an analysis of the entire education system and identifies key directions for the reinforcement of the reforms in light of the challenges encountered by officials, communities, enterprises, educators, parents and students under very dynamic conditions. It concludes with a set of key recommendations of goals of education, learning effectiveness, outcomes and the curriculum, management and governance for flexibility, responsiveness and change, and resources and financing.
Since 1991, the Latvian Government has conscientiously instituted a number of reforms which led to an increase in the level of foreign investment. Over 1996, foreign investment rose by 60 per cent, and foreign direct investment stocks amounted to US$ 269 per capita at the start of 1997. This places Latvia among the region's leaders in terms of its ability to attract foreign investment. The Government must, however, continue to improve the business environment. The Investment Guide for Latvia has been prepared with three objectives in mind : firstly, to identify those areas of economic activity which present opportunities for foreign investors; secondly, to provide the investor with comprehensive information relating to the historical, political, economic, financial and legal framework, essential for sound and secured foreign investment; thirdly, to draw on the experiences of the foreign investors in Latvia, and to conclude with an assessment of the business, investment and regulatory environment. This assessment will focus on areas within the legal framework and structure which need greater transparency, predictability and efficiency.