Businessman: Latvian state is too humble
18.11.2009, 12:16
Latvia bends too much to foreign investors, believes Peteris Smidre, chairman of telecommunication and cable television company Baltkom, writes Baltic Course.
"When launching our business, Baltkom also attracted foreign owners but gradually bought them out because, I believe, my business in my country is far more important than the flow of money out of this country and into another state. Unfortunately, the government has a different attitude: Latvia bows down to foreign investors, without thinking about its own entrepreneurs and the protection of the local market," Smidre points our in an interview with the newspaper "Neatkariga".
To prove this, Smidre says that his company has only won one government tender.
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"Foreign companies always won, although Baltkom, the same as many other local enterprises, could provide very good service," Smidre points out. "The foundation for each large business lies in its home country, only then can we think of further expansion. How can I think of entering the international market, where nobody awaits us with arms wide open, if my own country tries to eliminate me. I am not talking only about myself, it is a system."
Smidre spurns the thought of getting involved in politics though, because "The government is like a private club with no place for newcomers," Smidre said. He underlines that he will do more good to Latvia as a businessman than by working in the state administration. "Everyone must do his own job," Smidre said.