At the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on June 2, Edmunds Valantis was approved as the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economics (MoE). He has been carrying out the duties of the MoE’s Deputy State Secretary for Construction and Housing since June 2016.
The decision on the transfer has been taken taking into account the experience of MoE’s Deputy State Secretary E. Valantis in the work in public administration, knowledge and professional achievements in the fields of activity of the ministry – in the development and implementation of European Union funds programmes, in the development of financial instruments, in the attraction of investments, and in the construction and housing sector, where significant positive changes occurred in recent years – the electronic work time accounting has been introduced, the construction process has been digitalised, the general agreement on wages in the sector has been concluded. Similarly, Mr Valantis’ experience in leading a big team, leader’s qualities in building a team, as well as cooperation, development and initiative building skills are important in the efficient operation of MoE.
MoE has also received letters of support from many representatives of the construction and housing sector and cooperation partners for the nomination of the Deputy State Secretary E. Valantis for the post of State Secretary, indicating his high professionalism and true willingness to contribute to the sustainable growth of the sector.
Since November 2019, E. Valantis has also served as Chairman of the Management Board of VAS “Latvenergo” and since June 2013 – as a deputy of the Baldone Municipal Council.
From 2007 to 2016, Mr Valantis performed the duties of Director of the MoE Department for the Implementation of EU Funds and was the rapporteur of the MoE State Investment and Financial Management Department from 1999 to 2002.
Previous working experience – project manager for EU structural funds at VAS “Valsts Nekustamie Īpašumi”, member of the management board of SIA “Latvijas garantiju aģentūra”, Deputy Director of the Jelgava City Municipal Agency “Pilsētsaimniecība” for projects, project coordinator of the Mērsrags Port Administration.
E. Valantis obtained a Master’s degree in transport management at the Institute for Maritime and Air Transport Management in Antwerp and a diploma in the management of ports at the International Maritime Transport Academy in Rotterdam, a Bachelor’s degree – the qualification of an economist in port management at the Latvian Maritime Academy. E. Valantis has good command of English and Russian.