RIGA, May 18 (LETA) - Entrepreneurship is the basis for regional growth, President Edgars Rinkevics said Monday during his visit to Preili Municipality.

As the president's spokesman Martins Dregeris told LETA, during the meeting with Preili municipal leaders, Rinkevics discussed issues such as the financial equalization model for Latvia's municipalities, health and social care, as well as school network reform, which is a significant challenge in connection with the negative demographic trends in the municipality.

At the Janis Eglitis Preili State Gymnasium, the president was told about the teaching process and discussed current issues with teachers and students.

During his visit, Rinkevics also learned about the work of Preili Hospital and discussed healthcare issues of importance for the region with the hospital's administration. Preili Hospital provides a wide range of healthcare services, making them conveniently accessible also to the residents of neighboring municipalities, said Rinkevics.

The president concluded that improvements in healthcare are necessary, but they have to be justified, properly planned and introduced, while listening to the opinion of healthcare professionals.

During his working visit, Rinkevics also visited the farm Viktorija and the horse stable Zirgu Oaze.

"Entrepreneurship is the basis for regional growth, as it attracts investment, creates jobs and promotes infrastructure development. This is also evidenced by such farms, which generate new business ideas over several generations, ensuring the development not only of the farm, but of the whole region," Rinkevics said.

During his visit, the president also saw the restored Preili Castle, as well as the Preili History and Applied Arts Exhibition.

At the end of the visit, Rinkevics met with residents of Preili Municipality, listening to their views on current issues of the municipality and answering questions on strengthening security in the region, recent drone incidents, the development of wind farms, the progress of school reform, public transport in the municipality, and others.