TV Show: Kulbergs' Adviser Sought New Investors for His Business in India

Latvian Television's programme "DeFakto" reported on Sunday that Didzis Dejus, a freelance adviser on strategy and the new economy to Andris Kulbergs (of the AS party), who is a candidate for prime minister of Latvia, has been seeking foreign investors for his private business. He most recently did so in August at an international citizenship exhibition in Delhi, India. The matter is relevant because the prime ministerial candidate's team is discussing an idea that would let foreigners obtain temporary residence permits by investing in private funds, and Dejus is one of its supporters.

Investors from abroad

According to the programme, in recent years Dejus has attracted eight foreign investors to his business. Some of them have already received residence permits in Latvia. The law allows the recruitment of such foreigners, but opposition members of the Saeima, Latvia's parliament, point to a possible conflict of interest for the adviser.

Investment ideas

The idea has emerged while the outgoing Saeima was arguing over an alternative investment fund created by the state. The programme notes that Kulbergs' proposal for attracting foreign investors is currently known only in very rough terms. He has previously spoken about raising the annual payment for those seeking temporary residence permits, while also offering foreigners a fixed tax rate.

President Edgars Rinkēvičs met Kulbergs last week. After the conversation he said that the prime ministerial candidate's proposal for attracting more investment is not limited to temporary residence permits alone.