RIGA, Nov 5 (LETA) - The Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Wednesday named Tukums Region as the most business-friendly municipality, while Jurmala was named the most business-friendly city, the LCCI informed LETA.

Madona Region placed second and Rezekne Region third most business-friendly municipality.

Among the most business-friendly cities, Daugavpils and Liepaja shared second and third places.

LCCI regional councils also singled out Valmiera, Kuldiga, Rezekne, Jelgava, and Adazi regions.

The outgoing LCCI board chairman Janis Endzins emphasized that municipalities play a crucial role in Latvia's economic growth.

"I hope that the time will soon come when municipalities are rewarded not only with the LCCI's acknowledgments and flowers, but when Saeima makes the critically important decision to reward municipalities' work in this area by allocating part of the corporate income tax and personal income tax revenues to municipalities, based on residents' primary workplace," said Endzins.

According to the LCCI, municipalities were assessed according to several criteria, each given equal weight in the overall result. These included the results of self-assessment questionnaires submitted by municipalities, quality of information provided when businessmen showed interest in starting operations in a given municipality's territory, municipal support for business education, results of SKDS research center's business surveys, and the number of registered companies in each municipality.

The awards ceremony took place on Wednesday.

As reported, Endzins has decided to step down as LCCI board chairman to head a task force on cutting red tape. Katrina Zarina, a member of the LCCI board, has been appointed LCCI board chairwoman.

Endzins will hold his current position until November 28, and Zarina will take over on December 1.

The task force on cutting red tape was established on March 27. It brings together representatives of public administration, businesses and non-governmental organizations.

The LCCI has almost 6,000 members - micro, small, medium and large enterprises from all regions and sectors of Latvia, associations, city business clubs and other business associations.