Companies require a certificate of registration issued by the Enterprise Register before they can carry out business activities. According to Commercial Law, all businesses must be registered in the trade register for record purposes. Different kinds of legal structures are allowed to operate in the country, partnerships, branch offices, foreign representative offices, stock companies, limited liability companies, etc. The Latvian limited liability company also known as SIA with no minimum capital requirement is the commonest type of company. It is limited to a maximum of five founders who must be legal persons. As there are several organizations, corporations, and different forms of entities, not all businesses can suit every type of entity. Thus, it is advisable to know the form of business that works with the goods and services you intend to provide or sell.

For a business owner interested in setting up a business in the republic, or one looking to expand into the EU market, establishing a new company or branch of the foreign company is necessary. Aside from this, getting a license for the legal operations of the business is compulsory. This article discusses public administration and defense licensing.

Company incorporation

It is easy to set up a new company in the republic provided one meets all the requirements. New business owners can set up any form of a company while existing owners can only set up a branch or representative offices. Forming a company follows the following steps:

• Choosing an entity type
• Drafting the required documents
• Registering the business with the Enterprise Register
• Appointing the board and choosing the board members
• Applying with the SRS for tax purposes
• Applying for a license or permit to back the business

Getting a business license

After registration, a company must apply for a license or permit from the government. This allows the company to engage in its activities without restrictions. A license is issued by the different boards based on the type of service the business wants to provide. The board issue licenses to businesses that satisfy the criteria stated by the law guiding the existence of business in the republic. The different types of licenses under public administration and defense business are:

Strategic goods’ license 

Licenses for the import, export, transit, and transfer of strategic goods. This document will be produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.

Commercial activity license

Special license (permission) for commercial activity involving items on the Common Military List of the European Union. Typically released by the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Latvia

Explosive commercialization 

Permit for commercial activity involving explosive articles of a military type and exploration of regions possibly contaminated and contaminated with unexploded ordnance, as well as search, identification, retrieval, collection, and storage of unexploded ordnance. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Latvia grants it.

Detective activities

Special permit (license) to perform detective activities. Granted by the State Police Republic of Latvia to businesses involved in detective activities. 

Commercialization of weapons and ammunition

License for commercial activity with weapons, ammunition, and special means. Granted by the State Police Republic of Latvia to legal persons engaged in the sale of weapons, ammunition, and special means. 

Pyrotechnic articles

The License for business with pyrotechnic articles is granted to businesses by the State Police Republic of Latvia.

Blasting works

The Special permit (license) for the performance of blasting works and other commercial activities such as the sale and manufacture of explosives and blasting devices is granted by the State Police Republic of Latvia. 

Goods of strategic importance

The Special permit (license) for commercial activities with specially created or adapted equipment, devices, or instruments and their components for special operational activities referred to in the National List of Goods and Services of Strategic Importance of the Republic of Latvia is granted by the Latvian State Security Service, et cetera.

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