Translated using ChatGPT service.
On 9 October, the Saeima supported amendments to the Construction Law, which, among other things, provide for expanding the powers of the State Construction Control Bureau (BVKB) to ensure more efficient development of military infrastructure construction projects.
The amendments stipulate that, as of 1 November this year, the BVKB will perform the functions of a building authority not only for construction required by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), its subordinate institutions, or the National Armed Forces, but also for construction projects of capital companies established by the MoD, as well as companies in which these capital companies have acquired participation or decisive influence.
The expanded competence of the BVKB will allow for unified and professional oversight of construction processes in the defence sector and will support the government's priority of introducing the so-called “green corridor” for military production, which provides accelerated procedures for strategically important projects.
BVKB Director Baiba Vītoliņa:
“By performing the building authority function for military and national defence facilities, the BVKB is responsible for the full project cycle — from concept approval to commissioning. We take pride in this role and are pleased to contribute to strengthening the state’s defence capabilities. Within the scope of our expanded functions, our task is to continue ensuring that facilities important for national defence are implemented efficiently while maintaining the highest safety and construction standards.”
The draft law also provides improvements to the legal framework to allow certain exemptions in the construction of military facilities — regarding public consultation, the placement of construction information boards, and the inclusion of visual design solutions in the Construction Information System. At the same time, this regulation will allow the organisation of military production facility construction without unnecessary delays while maintaining the required transparency of the process.