Jelgava - Where Knowledge meets Industry

Jelgava - Where Knowledge meets Industry

Background information

With a population of 66,000 inhabitants Jelgava is the 4th largest city in Latvia. Situated just 42 kilometers south of the capital Riga, it covers around 60 Km² of land right in the center of Latvia.
The city has always been proud of its well-developed industry and infrastructure which undoubtedly was enabled by the city’s advantageous geographical location. One of the major strengths of Jelgava is its connectivity to the rest of Europe. Jelgava is located at a major railway junction with routes leading in both east-west and north-south directions. Moreover, the city is located in the middle of the country and is traversed by many transit roads.

Education and science

Not only is Jelgava the center of the country it is also the center of Knowledge. For this reason Jelgava is often called the City of Students as more than 8 thousand students study there. The Latvian University of Agriculture (www.llu.lv), the third largest university in Latvia is situated there and offers a variety of programs across 9 faculties. In addition the Lifelong Learning Centre was established to provide plenty of further education courses. Lifelong learning in Jelgava is also ensured by the Jelgava Regional Education centre for Adults (www.jrpic.lv), which was restructured and completely renovated in 2003. The centre offers more than 100 courses including: language studies, information technology, metalworking, communications and administration programs.
To strengthen the links between science and business, two research centers have been established in the city; the Forest and Wood Products Research and
Development Institute (www.e-koks.lv) and The Testing and Innovations Centre for Construction materials (www.bitc.lv).

Industry
Jelgava has always been an industrial city. The main focus of industries in Jelgava  are metallurgy, woodworking, food production, mineral based production, textiles, plastics, publishing and polygraphy.

Metallurgy and mechanical engineering are actually the most active industries. The largest local companies are “Madara” Ltd and “The Jelgava Engineering Plant” Co, and  major foreign companies like “AKG Thermotechnik Lettland” Ltd, „EuroMaint Rail” Ltd, „Stram” Ltd and „Torgy Baltic”. In addition an automobile factory “Amo Plant” was established in 2007.

Recently „Modulex Invest” Ltd put into operation a factory which will produce plastic pipes; it plans to employ 60 employees who will be trained to work with ultra modern technologies. In August yet another company “Pet Baltija” put a factory into operation that will recycle PET bottles. The factory is situated in the “NP Jelgava Business Park”.

Statistically the total industrial output in 2007 decreased, yet this temporary trend could be explained by the fact that the biggest company in the region “The Jelgava sugar-refinery” Co was closed down as a result  of Latvia joining the EU. Nonetheless, the pace of the city’s development suggests that this loss will be offset by new businesses that are being established in the city.

Total industrial output in Jelgava, in thousands of Lats

Current statistics show that the local industrial enterprises are competitive in the external market. Of all the goods produced in 2007, 31 percent was exported to other countries. Economic analysis show that the proportion of exports will continue to increase slightly this year. The most competitive industries in Jelgava are metallurgy and mechanical engineering; which can be partially explained due to the fact that there are so many foreign investors in this sector.

Industrial and technological parks

The „NP Jelgava Business Park” is currently the largest industrial park in Latvia. It occupies 23ha and rents over 111 thousand m² of space to companies. The park is located just 2 kilometers from the main road, which runs from Riga to Lithuania and from there to the rest of Western Europe. The park is situated in the location of the former Riga Automotive Factory, which was the center of automobile production during Soviet times. At the moment the park has 90 thousand m2 of premises available for rent; which can be adjusted to meet the needs of any entrepreneur. The developers are proud to confirm that after the completion of their reconstruction, The “NP Jelgava Business Park” will be one of the largest and most modern business parks in the Baltic region.
Currently the park hosts enterprises working in various sectors including; mechanical engineering, metalworking, wholesale warehouses and so on.
Considering the existing entrepreneurial environment, the infrastructure and the strategically advantageous location, this park is an ideal place to set up both light and heavy industry, or logistics services.
More information: www.industrial-park.lv

Photo: NP Jelgava Business Park

A Few years ago the development of the 11 ha Zemgale Technological Park was started. The first tenants have already set up in the park; The Testing and Innovations Centre for Construction materials provides equipment and expertise regarding the development of new construction materials, the testing and evaluation of such materials, as well as technical expertise and an evaluation of buildings in which such construction materials would be used. To strengthen and improve the operation of Zemgale Technological Park, there is a plan to expand cooperation with both Riga Technical University and The Latvia University of Agriculture to ensure the transfer of scientific research, expertise and technologies from science labs to business. A business incubator already successfully operates as a part of the technological centre. It was established in August 2007 and is run by The Jelgava Centre for Innovations (www.jic.lv). Currently there are 24 different enterprises in the incubator.
In April 2008 construction of a Skydiving certification and Leisure centre began in the Technological Park. There are also plans to build one more building to meet the needs of the Testing and Innovation centre. No doubt, there will be many more projects in the park over the next few years.

Photo: Testing and Innovations Centre for Construction materials

Business opportunities

Considering the advantageous location and education opportunities, Jelgava can offer you rapid development and expansion of your industrial plans. The Business parks and centers of expertise are here to help you broaden your possibilities. Two brand new centers “Zemgale business centre” (9060 m2) and “Zemgale” (area - 3283 m2,) are scheduled to open by the end of the year and offer modern, cozy premises for rent.
If you are looking for an investment niche, consider establishing a cinema or an entertainment club in Jelgava. Alternatively the River Lielupe can also be used for a variety of leisure and sport activities.

Jelgava is the perfect place for your business, and we are here to help you. Our staff is available to provide help and information to both local and foreign investors ready to establish themselves in our city, located in the very heart of Latvia. 

For further inquiries:
Development and City planning department
Jelgava municipality
Tel.: +371 63005569
Fax: +371 63005490
www.jelgava.lv