On Wednesday, May 14, in London, Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens met with Matteo Patrone, Vice President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The meeting took place as part of the EBRD Annual Meeting and was a continuation of the discussion initiated last year with the EBRD President regarding the bank’s future involvement in Latvia and the region.
During the meeting, the Minister urged the EBRD to strengthen its presence in Latvia, including outside the capital city of Riga, and to increase the volume of investments.
“The EBRD should follow the example of the European Investment Bank and the Nordic Investment Bank, which have opened offices in Riga. To create demand, the bank needs to be visible also in the regions where investment is needed,” emphasized the Minister of Finance.
The discussion also covered the EBRD’s potential contribution to a public-private partnership (PPP) affordable rental housing program, which Latvia is already developing in cooperation with the European Investment Bank. Ašeradens invited the EBRD to also engage in several strategic projects, including commercial bank financing, energy, and infrastructure projects.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of capital market development and invited the EBRD to participate in the future in potential initial public offerings (IPOs) of state and municipal enterprises.
During the meeting, Ašeradens expressed gratitude for the EBRD’s support to date and emphasized that the 2026 EBRD Annual Meeting of Governors to be held in Riga would be a significant event for the region.
“Latvia is ready to host the EBRD Annual Meeting of Governors in 2026. It will be a strong platform to demonstrate the bank’s support for the region following Russia’s war in Ukraine and to promote investment potential in the Baltic States,” said Finance Minister Arvils Ašeradens during the meeting.