RIGA, May 14 (LETA) - 754 companies operating in 13 business incubators and five support units of the Latvian Investments and Development Agency (LIAA) in 2020 attracted external funding worth EUR 20.8 million, LETA learned from LIAA communication department

The companies created 523 new jobs and paid EUR 16.4 million in taxes. The average productivity indicator reached EUR 36,700 and exceeded the initially planned EUR 30,000.

"We can say that the crisis caused by the pandemic has not signifciantly affected the companies working in the LIAA business incubators. On the contrary, the economic indicators have improved. In the spring of this year, 854 applications were submitted, which is the highest number of the applications in this program, so interest in business development keeps growing," said LIAA representative Laura Ocaga.

At present incubation and pre-incubation programs are available in LIAA business incubators in Liepaja, Kuldiga, Talsi, Ventspils, Jurmala, Jelgava, Ogre, Sigulda, Madona, Valmiera, Rezekne, Daugavpils, Riga, while incubator support units are operating also in Cesis, Bauska, Saldus, Jekabpils and Gulbene.