Board

The Productivity Board of Latvia is an advisory body of the Ministry of Economics, the aim of which is to promote research into the development of economic productivity, to stimulate discussions on the productivity issues in Latvia and the European Union and to promote independent, objective and scientifically sound recommendations to policy makers.

In accordance with the public interest, the Board submits proposals to the Ministry of Economics on directions of activity in the field of competitiveness and productivity development policy based on co-operation with the Productivity Research Institute of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences of the University of Latvia "UL Think tank LV PEAK".

Chairman of the Board

Gundars Bērziņš is rector and professor of the University of Latvia, he has a PhD in Management Sciences (Dr. sc. admin.). He is also a leading researcher at the University of Latvia and a corresponding member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Bērziņš started his work at LU in 2000 as a lecturer at the Faculty of Business, Management and Economics (FBME), and in 2003 he also became the executive director of the faculty. Later, from 2008 to 2010, he worked as the director of the Finance and Accounting Department of the LU. In 2010, he became the chancellor of the University of Latvua, but in 2014 he started a successive path to the academic position of professor, which he obtained in 2018. Bērziņš was the dean of LU FBME from 2016 until March 2024. From 2019 to 2021, he was also the chairman of the council of AS "Olainfarm". Gundars Bērziņš has also been a adviser to the President of Latvia and an expert of the Saeima.

Andris Piebalgs is a Professor at the European University Institute. His work is linked to the challenges of reshaping the energy sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He is actively involved in the development of the European green energy policy. Andris Piebalgs is also a Chairman of the Board of Appeal of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). Andris Piebalgs is an experienced politician and diplomat. He has been a Minister in several Latvian governments, a Member of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia, and an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Estonia and the European Union. He did important work for Latvia's accession to the European Union. Andris Piebalgs has extensive experience in European Union policy. He has been the European Commissioner for Energy from 2004 to 2010 and the European Commissioner for Development from 2010 to 2014. Under his leadership, important reforms were carried out to strengthen the European Union's energy independence, strengthen the European common energy market and transform the energy sector towards sustainable development. He played a key role in making the European Union's development policy more effective.

Juris Binde is a President and a Chair of the Board of Latvijas Mobilais Telefons LLC and a Professor at the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. In 1978, he graduated from the Faculty of Radio Engineering and Communications of the Riga Polytechnic Institute, obtaining the specialty of radio electronic equipment engineer-designer-technologist (Dipl. ing, Mg. sc. ing). He studied in Germany (1990), the International Business Institute IFL in Stockholm (1995) and Columbia University in the USA (2000). He is Honorary Doctor of Riga Technical University (Dr. h. c.) (2006). In 2007, he completed his doctoral studies at the University of Latvia and defended his doctoral dissertation, obtaining a degree of Doctor of Economics (Dr. oec.) in Business Management. President of Latvijas Mobilais Telefons LLC since 1992, Chairman of the Board since 2004, Professor of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences since 2017. From 1987 to 1992, he was the Chief Technologist and Head of the Technological Department at the Scientific Research Institute of VEF. From 1984 to 1987 he was a Deputy Head of the Scientific and Technical Information Division and Head of the Systems Analysis Group. From 1978 to 1984, he progressed from engineer-designer to Deputy Chief Designer of Household Radio Equipment at the production association VEF. Juris Binde is a Vice President of the Employers' Confederation of Latvia (LDDK) and the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association (LIKTA), a Chairman of the Advisory Council of the University of Latvia and a Member of the Advisory Board of the Riga Technical University.

Andris Bite is a President of the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia (LDDK). Experience in the business environment since 1996, when he started in the fish processing company A/S Kaija. Since 2002, he is the manager and co-owner of the company - now SIA Karavela, as well as the co-owner or manager of other production, trade, real estate management and agricultural companies. The goods produced by the group of the enterprises are exported to 46 countries around the world. Andris Bite believes that the potential of LDDK as a social dialogue partner should be exercised in order to enhance the business environment and raise the competitiveness of Latvia's business.

Jānis Ošlejs is the Founder and CEO of Primekss Group and the inventor of PrīmX, an award-winning ultra-low carbon concrete technology. Under his leadership, Primekss has grown from a local Latvian contractor into a global company operating in over 28 countries, with more than 600 employees and €120M+ in revenue. Jānis holds an MBA from the Stockholm School of Economics and a BA from the University of Latvia. He established the largest Concrete R&D Center in Central Europe and a production facility for PrīmX additives, investing over €2M annually in innovation. A member of the Young Presidents’ Organization since 2009, he has held several leadership roles within YPO globally. He also serves on the board of the Red Jackets Exporters Association. Beyond business, Jānis is active in philanthropy and the Latvian National Guard, promoting sustainable development and creative education.