The development of agriculture in Latvia, which has taken place in the last decades, as well as changes in legislation, due to Latvia entrance in European Union, have favoured demand for new experts in services' market of agricultural branch in Latvia. The publication reflects economical factors of services' market in agricultural branch in Latvia. Special attention is paid to assessment of Latvia training and advisory centres' policy in frames of providing services for agricultural enterprises.

This paper deals with the application of internet as an increasingly used information distribution channel for tourism companies of all sizes. The focus is put on micro tourism enterprises in the accommodation industry in rural areas. The authors have explored web pages of tourism enterprises, e-mails with a selection method in different regions of Latvia and have made their comparison. Tourism in Latvia is developing rapidly; different modern technologies and the internet are introduced; yet, there is a radical difference in IT use between Riga and other regions of Latvia. The results of the research show insufficient and underused application of IT in the sector of tourist accommodation in less developed regions of Latvia, which contradicts to the average statistical data in Latvia.

The scientific article is prepared using monographic research method. The most important works by several scientists are examined. The author analyses guidelines for strengthening of civil society within Decree of 2005 by the Cabinet of Latvia; previous research on social capital in scientists' works is considered and indicators regarding economics of Latvia are characterized; formal and informal social networks and their norms are cleared. Importance of civil society is suggested by the Cabinet Decree No. 98 Guidelines of Strengthening Policy for Civil Society in 2005. The guidelines and directions for strengthening of civil society for the ten years describe actuality of this program. This theme is less researched in Latvia. Civil society promotes democracy, increases and mobilizes social capital, coordinating collaboration of citizens for common benefit. Civil society in Latvia is in its initial position. The concept of social capital by different foreign scientists and Latvian specialists is analysed in this article. American scientist R. Putnam (1995) has written about social capital that human capital regards individuals but social capital regards relationships among individuals as well as social networks and exchange norms. Another researcher F. Fukuyama (1995) analyses social capital by comparison of economical development of different peoples and nations. Research by several scientists on indicators of social capital and their use in economics of Latvia are analysed in the work. The author concludes that social capital of Latvia has tendency to develop, and social networks and their expansion is little explored in Latvia.

The main aim of the paper is to analyse influence of the real exchange rate on competitiveness of Latvia. Using fundamental equilibrium exchange rate methodology the equilibrium real exchange rate for Latvia is estimated. According the model's results the real exchange rate was overvalued almost during all the reporting period and therefore it could be used as one of the factors influencing competitiveness of Latvia.

The research work of current paper is dedicated to the problems that appear in resource attraction processes of the Cohesion Fund (CF) in Latvia. Latvia has an access to branches of financing covered by CF - transport and environment. These branches require harmonized legislation. Successful administrating is assured by effective institutional system. The weaknesses of CF management system in Latvia are figured out so rendering ideas to the reader to be studied further.

In 2006 in Olaine (Latvia) at the Research Conference on Chemistry for Food and Food Industry the following issues were reported: beginnings of researches and development of nutrients in Latvia; food additives; nutrition and health problems; antioxidants in nutrition; biologically activated hull-less barley grain in production of wheat bread; renewable of agricultural and market policy in Latvia; evaluation of melons by sugar content and pulp density; selenium, its intake and role in organism.

The core of this research is dedicated to a study of development trends and future prospects of small and medium - sized enterprises (SMEs) and employment in Latvia. The authors has analysed main problems SMEs face in Latvia, the experience of facilitating entrepreneurship of European countries and the effectiveness of SMEs supporting activities in Latvia. Favourable business environment is among major preconditions for sustainable economic growth of a country. However, since Latvia gained its independence, state policy regarding SMEs has been rather slow-motioned and ineffective due to the lack of funds to finance the promotional activities. As a result entrepreneurs faced different factors hindering their development. This issue gained particular importance after Latvia's accession in European Union when Latvia's competitiveness was exposed to pressure from abroad.

In the article authors reflect development of the national economy of Latvia since the restoration of Latvia's independence. The main economic indicators during 1990-2004, prognosis on 2010 and economy indicators comparison of the Baltic States and ES during 2004-2005 have been showed in tables.

The research on unbalanced development of territorial units in Latvia was continued in the context of regionalisation. The analysis and elaboration of proposals were concentrated on the development tendencies of regions, the distribution of functions between local self-governments and the state, the regional tax system, the finances of regional self-governments and the possibilities of creation of regional budgets in Latvia. The results of the analysis showed that the processes of regionalisation and creation of regions in Latvia are characterised by irregularity and put into practice with great difficulties. Therefore, Latvia cannot make use of advantages obtained by the member states of the EU, in which the process of regionalisation is forming the basis of competitive businesses and social economic growth.

25 oat varieties from Latvia, Germany, Sweden, Lithuania, Estonia and other countries, including recommended and perspective oat varieties in Latvia, were compared at the State Stende Plant Breeding Station in summer 2005.