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Latvia: Building on its Location for Success in Logistics
Latvia: Building on its Location for Success in LogisticsThe Latvian Logistics Tour seminar was held on Friday, September 26th, 2008 and was developed as part of an ongoing effort to promote transit through Latvia both by LIAA and the Latvian Transport Minister Ainars Šlesers. The aim of the seminar in Riga was to allow owners of cargo companies and local logistics companies to liaise with each other and find partners to pursue development and investment opportunities.
A lot of interest has already been shown in Latvia, not least by Yusen Air and Sea (one of the largest shipping companies in Japan) and also by NISSIN, a Japanese forwarding company that has just set up with Latvian partners to work Russian and CIS routes. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) in Russia have shown particular interest, as many manufacturing companies need to secure a reliable logistics network to their customers. With a direct border with Russia and three ice-free Baltic ports Latvia is ideally suited as a base for transport and logistic companies to supply Russia.
Andris Ozols, Director of LIAA and Ainars Šlesers, Minister of Transport of Latvia opened the Latvia Logistics Tour with a speech. Further speeches followed throughout the morning including several representatives of shipping and logistics services. Helmuts Kols, advisor to the Board of "LDz Cargo" part of the Latvian National Railway was one of the speakers, as the Latvian railway is of particular importance to transport services because it operates on the same rail gauge as Russia, meaning that the costly switching of trains is not required. In addition transportation of cargo by train avoids any delays that might be experienced at border crossings when traveling by road.
In total 21 International and over 60 local participants attended the seminar including many representatives from Japanese companies operating in Russia. It became a gathering point for owners of cargo companies, shipping companies, forwarders, logistics companies and other officials from many different countries. The message was clear: Not only is Latvia a safe and stable place to establish a company but it also provides a work force which not only speaks Russian but that also understands Russian mentality in doing business.
Overall the day was a huge success with many companies exchanging information and contacts. LIAA was also able to make arrangements for a Japanese company that was considering a distribution center in Riga to meet with local forwarding companies at the seminar. Following their discussions the Japanese company visited potential local premises and has started negotiations to develop future cooperation.
A lot of interest has already been shown in Latvia, not least by Yusen Air and Sea (one of the largest shipping companies in Japan) and also by NISSIN, a Japanese forwarding company that has just set up with Latvian partners to work Russian and CIS routes. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) in Russia have shown particular interest, as many manufacturing companies need to secure a reliable logistics network to their customers. With a direct border with Russia and three ice-free Baltic ports Latvia is ideally suited as a base for transport and logistic companies to supply Russia.
Andris Ozols, Director of LIAA and Ainars Šlesers, Minister of Transport of Latvia opened the Latvia Logistics Tour with a speech. Further speeches followed throughout the morning including several representatives of shipping and logistics services. Helmuts Kols, advisor to the Board of "LDz Cargo" part of the Latvian National Railway was one of the speakers, as the Latvian railway is of particular importance to transport services because it operates on the same rail gauge as Russia, meaning that the costly switching of trains is not required. In addition transportation of cargo by train avoids any delays that might be experienced at border crossings when traveling by road.
In total 21 International and over 60 local participants attended the seminar including many representatives from Japanese companies operating in Russia. It became a gathering point for owners of cargo companies, shipping companies, forwarders, logistics companies and other officials from many different countries. The message was clear: Not only is Latvia a safe and stable place to establish a company but it also provides a work force which not only speaks Russian but that also understands Russian mentality in doing business.
Overall the day was a huge success with many companies exchanging information and contacts. LIAA was also able to make arrangements for a Japanese company that was considering a distribution center in Riga to meet with local forwarding companies at the seminar. Following their discussions the Japanese company visited potential local premises and has started negotiations to develop future cooperation.
