Latvia has begun publicly naming companies that continue to trade with Russia and Belarus, publishing an initial list of 170 businesses as part of efforts to increase pressure on commercial links with the two countries, Latvia’s national broadcaster LSM.lv reported on August 20.

The Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) published the first monthly list on August 20, identifying Latvia-registered companies importing goods from or exporting them to Russia and Belarus. The first publication contains 170 companies, including prominent Latvian businesses such as lingerie producer Lauma Lingerie and pharmaceutical company Grindeks.

"The publication of the list will allow the public, cooperation partners and entrepreneurs themselves to clearly see which companies are still exporting or importing goods with Russia and Belarus, and to assess their future cooperation accordingly," the CSB said, LSM.lv reported.

As reported by IntelliNews, such information was previously unavailable because company-level trade data held by Latvia's State Revenue Service (VID) was protected by confidentiality rules.

Inclusion does not mean that a company has breached sanctions or Latvian law. The businesses can be engaged in legal trade involving products not covered by international restrictions, including food and pharmaceuticals.

The Saeima, the country’s legislature, voted on June 18 to change the legislation, requiring VID to provide the relevant information to the CSB, which must make it publicly available. The list will be updated monthly.

The CSB is also publishing a separate document allowing listed companies to explain why they maintain commercial links with Russia or Belarus.

Some businesses have disputed their inclusion, arguing that they do not actually have import or export relations with either country, LSM.lv reported.