The paper focuses on the role of mentoring as tool for increasing entrepreneurship development in Latvia rural areas. Mentoring in entrepreneurship means that somebody more experienced in business (Mentor) guides and helps the less experienced and younger (Mentee) to succeed in his/her enterprise development. The authors of the present paper have done practical research for determining and analyzing the problems and possibilities for Latvia rural women to create and develop their entrepreneurship and their willingness to participate in mentorship program in Latvia. 100 questionnaires of existing and potential Mentees and 60 questionnaires of existing and potential Mentors of all regions of Latvia were collected and analyzed. The research shows that mentorship program as knowledge transfer system would promote increase of qualifications, competences, local and international business relationships and professional knowledge of women entrepreneurs in Latvia rural areas.

The aim of the research was the evaluation of the genetic sources of lilies (Lilium L.) in Latvia. Lilies - among the most popular bulb flowers in Latvia - have been cultivated there for two centuries. Everywhere lily breeders are very interested in finding bulbs in the wild, collect and use them in the production of new plants. Lilium martagon L. (L. martagon) is the only wild-growing species in Latvia. From 1993 to 1998, to evaluate the survival of martagonlilies (L. martagon), habitats of this species were inspected in the regions of Aizkraukle, Ventspils, Kuldiga and Tukums. Considering the morphological traits, Latvian wild-growing L. martagon genotypes vary according to the various locations of their distribution. For the purpose of the maintenance of the genetic source, cultivars originated in Latvia have been evaluated. V. Orekhov, one of the most prominent lily breeders in the world, was one of the first pioneers in Latvia and J.Vasarietis was the first Latvian breeder who established contacts with breeders in the West. The goal of research was to estimate genetic sources of lilies in Latvia and to evaluate the diversity of wild-growing L.martagon.

The necessity of the research is to determine by the fact in Latvia there is a strong growth in bank credit to the private sector like in several transition countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Its implications for macroeconomic development and financial stability can be ambiguous. The aim of the research is to find possible scenarios for positive credit (to private sector) growth implications for macroeconomic development and financial stability in Latvia. Attainment of the objective comprises analysis of available statistical data about Latvia, identification of factors affecting bank credit growth following up some recent researches and modelling scenarios how the credit growth could facilitate further economic development in Latvia. This paper presents only recent trends in bank credit to the private sector in Latvia and evaluates some of the factors affecting these trends. It does not provide updated practical models and scenarios because the research has been started only recently.

The objective of the PhD Paper is to research the main factors, which influence the development of rural tourism and cause risks, and to work out the conceptual programme of risk management applicable in rural tourism enterprises in Latvia. In order to reach the objective, the following tasks are put forward: (1) research and evaluate the theoretical aspects of riskology, (2) analyse and evaluate the development of rural tourism in Latvia, (3) find out the factors, which promote and hinder the development of rural tourism enterprises in Latvia, emphasizing the main factors of risk, (4) work out the conceptual programme of risk management for rural tourism enterprises in Latvia.

The objective of the PhD Paper is to research the main factors, which influence the development of rural tourism and cause risks, and to work out the conceptual programme of risk management applicable in rural tourism enterprises in Latvia. In order to reach the objective, the following tasks are put forward: (1) research and evaluate the theoretical aspects of riskology, (2) analyse and evaluate the development of rural tourism in Latvia, (3) find out the factors, which promote and hinder the development of rural tourism enterprises in Latvia, emphasizing the main factors of risk, (4) work out the conceptual programme of risk management for rural tourism enterprises in Latvia.

The article presents research material of the project of a machine system for cranberry cultivation under condition of Latvia, as well as the designing results of some machines. By example of one of the farms the components of incomes and expenditure are analysed in the cultivation of the given crop in Latvia. Growing cultivated cranberries has good perspectives in Latvia, and it brings in about 8 thousand euro/ha.

The article deals with issues of spread of long-term unemployment in Latvia regions, availability of regular statistical data and how to promote reduction of long-term unemployment rate in Latvia regions. Regional aspects of long term unemployment could appear in different units of local territory (districts, towns, municipalities) due to economic, social and cultural factors. How in perspectives of different economic and sociological theories could be interpreted problem of long term unemployment in Latvia regions? The absence of flexibility in labour market may prevent development of employment rate in Latvia regions. Flexibility is the feature that characterizes changes in relations among elements of labour market in post-industrial period. It is the key concept to indicate changes in labour market in post-fordist theory. Path-dependency as key concept from neo-institutional theory characterizes both employees, employers, relations among them and state institutions. Absence of flexibility is one of barriers that prohibit solving problem of long-term employment in Latvia regions.

In 7.06.1994 the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia ratified The Geneva Convention of 13 November 1979 on long-range transboundary air pollution" and in 17.06.1997 Latvia has joined the 1984 Geneva Protocol on Long-term Financing of the Cooperative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Long-range Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe (EMEP). The aim of this article is to evaluate pollution transboundary transfer of sulphur compounds in territory of Latvia during 1986-2000.

Production of biodiesel becomes more significant with every year. It depends not only on fast running short of fossil diesel, but the same importance has the necessity to minimize the greenhouse effect from gas polluting the atmosphere and noxious gas concentration in the nature. The paper presents the situation in Latvia regarding biodiesel production and replacing fossil diesel with biodiesel. There are appropriate conditions for growing rape plants for producing biodiesel in Latvia. Economic environment facilitates fast increase of biodiesel production in Europe as well as in Latvia. The paper presents economic and ecological advantages to increase biodiesel production in Latvia. The authors have determined the trend of rapeseed cultivation and have developed the forecast of biodiesel production corresponding to the European Union regulations and according to the Government program till 2010.

The data and results of Common Nordic Observation GPS Campaign performed in 1992 and 2003 are on a basis of the reference frame of the Republic of Latvia. Measurements have been worked out to establish and control 0 class points in Latvia, to establish a correlation to Europe Reference Frame and geodetic coordinate system of Latvia LKS-92. It is possible to compare and estimate correlation parameters of the instruments used. It is possible to compare and analyze influences and errors affecting geodetically measurements.