Published: 29.04.2019

The Council of Latvijas Banka has approved the Annual Report of Latvijas Banka for 2018. Apart from the financial statements and positive independent auditors' report, it provides an overview of the economic environment and economic development in Latvia and the euro area as well as information on the operation of the national central bank and the work done in the areas of its responsibility: participation in the formulation and implementation of the Eurosystem's monetary policy; economic analysis and research; management of foreign reserves and other financial investments; ensuring cash circulation; maintaining the interbank payment systems' infrastructure; compiling and publishing statistics; maintaining the Credit Register, etc.

The year 2018 saw rapid economic expansion all over the world. However, several significant developments, including the tension arising from trade relations between the US and China, the UK's decision to leave the EU and a severe turbulence in financial markets were also evident during the year. Moreover, the growth rate became more heterogeneous when broken down by world region and country. Global GDP recorded an increase of 3.7%, slightly lower than in 2017 (3.8%).

The euro area witnesses economic slowdown driven by softer external demand and some country and sector-specific factors. Although the very favourable financing conditions continue to support the euro area economy and employment and wages show an upward path, external risks urge economic policy makers to be vigilant.

Latvia's economic growth remained robust in 2018, with the growth rate reaching 4.8%. The role of exports as the key driver of GDP has been gradually taken over by the domestic demand and construction development enhanced by EU funding inflows. Exports have contracted primarily on account of developments in the most significant external markets of Latvia.

Latvia's economic growth is expected to decelerate in 2019, but it will remain relatively buoyant. In the light of developments in global markets, the slowdown of Latvia's economic growth and the approaching end of the EU funds programming period, it is vital that the economic policy geared towards long-term economic growth is implemented. Savings should be made to the central government budget, particularly taking account of the fact that the period of low interest rates will expire at some point in time and bearing in mind lower expected economic growth in the world and Latvia.

Latvia saw continued wage increases in 2018, and this trend is likely to persist also in 2019. Although a rise in remuneration contributes to domestic consumption and, consequently, also to economic development, the growing gap between the wage increase and productivity growth is also a matter of concern since the above gap exerts a cost pressure on businesses and has an adverse effect on their competitiveness in global markets. Discussions on how to address the labour market problems are intensifying. People are the key to Latvia's competitiveness, and investment in education and innovation to boost productivity has a major role to play in strengthening economic sustainability. Therefore, it is vital that the Latvian government and parliament continue to drive forward the reform process in 2019, particularly in the education and health sectors.

In 2018, Latvijas Banka focused its work on further development of several significant projects, and in the last months of the year, already over 90% of the customers of Latvian credit institutions had access to instant interbank payments at any time of day or night, including weekends and holidays. The total amount of instant payments executed in Latvia is expected to exceed 1 billion euro in mid-2019. It is anticipated that credit institutions and financial sector companies will offer their customers an option to make instant payments by means of a mobile phone number in the near term. The opportunities provided by instant payments will be used more extensively also in trade and e-commerce.

On 1 August 2018, Latvia adhered to the IMF's Special Data Dissemination Standard Plus (SDIS Plus) and became the 17th country in the world implementing the initiative of the highest level IMF data dissemination standard. Latvia's adhering to the SDIS Plus standard is a result of joint efforts by Latvijas Banka, the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia, the Treasury, the Financial and Capital Market Commission and AS Nasdaq Riga. Latvijas Banka coordinates the implementation of the SDIS Plus standard.

In 2018, the role of Latvijas Banka as the Baltic regional cash storage and processing centre was strengthened, the operation of the Credit Register was improved, and other activities were implemented.

Latvijas Banka's profit earned in 2018 was 14.6 million euro. Pursuant to the Law on Latvijas Banka, 70% or 10.2 million euro of Latvijas Banka's profit for 2018 has been transferred to the central government budget and the rest of the profit – to the reserve capital of Latvijas Banka. Over the past five years, the aggregate profit of Latvijas Banka reached 117.0 million euro, including its contribution to the central government budget totalling 76.8 million euro.

The Annual Report of Latvijas Banka for 2018 is available at www.bank.lv. Financial statements of Latvijas Banka for 2018 are also published separately on the website of Latvijas Banka together with an independent auditors' report.

LB gada parskats Latvijas Banka 2018 ENG

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Latvijas Banka is the central bank of Latvia – an independent institution and a member of the Eurosystem. The primary objective of Latvijas Banka is the same as that of the central banks of other euro area countries and the European Central Bank: price stability (inflation rates below, but close to, 2% over the medium term). This is an essential precondition for a strong and growth-oriented economy. To achieve that, Latvijas Banka participates in the formulation and implementation of the Eurosystem's monetary policy decisions.

Latvijas Banka promotes analysis and research of macroeconomic and financial issues, thereby laying a secure foundation for professional activities in these areas. The role of the industry expert helps Latvijas Banka raise public awareness of the development of the economy and the monetary system, the current situation and the economic policy being pursued. Latvijas Banka takes an active part in educating the general public on various economic topics.

Latvijas Banka, acting in the public and economic interest, carries out several tasks significant for each and every inhabitant, financial markets and the public at large:

– participates in the formulation and implementation of the euro area's monetary policy;

– issues cash in Latvia and participates in ensuring the cash circulation process in the euro area;

– discharges the function of the central national currency authentication centre;

– maintains the interbank payment systems' infrastructure (including the infrastructure for instant payments);

– manages the foreign reserves and other financial investments;

– acts as the financial agent of Latvia's government and provides financial services to other market participants;

– compiles and publishes financial, monetary statistics and balance of payments statistics;

– maintains and develops the Credit Register;

– acts as an advisor to the Parliament and Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia on monetary policy issues and other issues related to Latvijas Banka's operation.