Latvian Parliament Advances Plan to Publish List of Companies Trading with Russia and Belarus

The Latvian Saeima has taken a significant step toward transparency by supporting a bill that would require the publication of data on Latvian companies trading with Russia and Belarus, despite ongoing legal concerns raised by government ministries.

The proposal, introduced by members of the New Unity party, aims to amend the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians to obligate the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) to publish information on Latvian-registered companies involved in trade with Russia and Belarus. This would include the identification number and name of each exporter or importer, with data drawn from customs and tax administration sources.

According to the bill’s justification, the publication is grounded in the principles of information openness and national security. Lawmakers argue that economic ties with Russia and Belarus—states whose actions threaten regional security and the international legal order—are not merely private commercial decisions but have broader societal implications. The initiative emphasizes that transparency would enable the public, business partners and government authorities to make informed and responsible decisions regarding companies engaged in such trade.

The Saeima Defense, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee recently supported the bill for its first reading in parliament. The committee also decided that the Saeima would review the proposal in two readings, signaling growing legislative momentum behind the measure.

Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has instructed the Ministries of Economics and Finance to ensure the list is published to inform the public about business dealings with Russia and Belarus. However, both ministries have hesitated to act, citing legal obstacles related to data confidentiality laws.

Economy Minister Viktors Valainis confirmed that while the law currently prohibits publishing such data, the Ministry of Economics has already released the list twice, with the most recent version still available on its website. He noted that trade volumes with Russia and Belarus have decreased significantly and the number of companies involved has slightly declined, but the overall situation remains largely unchanged compared to previous records.

Valainis added that repeated publication of the list could carry legal implications for the state, and the Ministries of Economics and Finance plan to discuss further steps in coordination. Despite these concerns, the Saeima’s support for the bill reflects a broader push for accountability and transparency in Latvia’s economic relations with sanctioned or high-risk states.