Šmite-Roķe was selected among 20 contestants. The previous head of the VID, Ieva Jaunzeme, was dismissed in February of 2023.
At the government meeting, Baiba Šmite-Roķe said that a change is expected within the institution. Her priorities as head of the revenue service would be "reorganization, digitalization, and combating shadow economy."
"We have to admit we are a bureaucratic establishment and we must change it. VID must be honest and transparent. I promise that [VID] will change and become a truly modern, customer-oriented institution," said Šmite-Roķe.
Baiba Šmite-Roķe has extensive experience in tax administration. She has been working at the VID since 2020 as deputy head and then head of the tax administration of the State Revenue Service. Šmite-Roķe holds a Master's degree in economics and is pursuing a PhD in economics and management.
