Latviski
Last week, on 17–19 April, the Freeport of Riga Authority along with several port companies visited the International Exhibition for Transport and Logistics Services and Technologies TransRussia 2018 in Moscow. This annual exhibition is the largest event in the transport and logistics sector in Russia, as well as one of the largest forums of the industry in Eurasia. This year more than 350 companies gathered from 29 countries, with the number of visitors exceeding 15 thousand. “This was an opportunity for the Freeport of Riga Authority and port companies to strengthen their current cooperation and establish new contacts with the largest players of the logistics sector in the region”, Ansis Zeltiņš, CEO of the Freeport of Riga, is convinced.
Although the volume of Russian cargo has dropped by approximately 30% in recent years, its share in Latvian transit is still substantial. In the industry, which employs practically one in ten inhabitants of Latvia (approximately 80,000 employees) and brings 2 billion euro to the national economy every year, it is difficult to overestimate this factor. The need to view things in a pragmatic way and promote cooperation is emphasised by both Latvian and Russian representatives.
“Businesses should step away from political events, which are anyhow short-term, as far as possible. Cooperation between Latvia and Russia has always been highly mutually beneficial. There is a saying in the East: no clapping is possible without two hands to do it; therefore, we have to be forthcoming with each other, and business must be made a guide to the best relations between the two countries”, emphasised Gennady Bessonov, Secretary General of the Coordinating Council on Trans-Siberian Transportation and Advisor to the President of the Russian Railways (ОАО “РЖД”).
The annual participation of the Freeport of Riga in the most influential event of the Eurasian transport sector, TransRussia, is natural, as the Freeport of Riga has always positioned itself as a crucial part of the East-West cargo transport corridor. Ansis Zeltiņš, CEO of the Freeport of Riga: “The market represented at TransRussia is still crucial for the Port of Riga and will remain as such in the years to come. This exhibition is a beneficial platform where we must be present and be able to represent ourselves well. The common goal of the Freeport of Riga Authority and port companies is to show that the infrastructure of the Port of Riga is modern and effective, the quality of offered services is constantly high, and the attitude towards every customer is impeccable. Precisely this aspect, in spite of any geopolitical circumstances, has enabled the Port of Riga to retain its customers and successfully compete among the ports of the Baltic Sea.”
The same is noted by Gennady Bossonov: “The Port of Riga is one of the most advanced and best equipped ports in the region. This makes it highly attractive for Russian companies.”
This year, the Freeport of Riga was represented by the Freeport of Riga Authority and port companies: Riga Commercial Port, SIA Rīgas Universālais Termināls, SIA Jaunzeltiņi, SIA KS Terminal, SIA Systems terminal, SIA Jaunmīlgrāvja ostas kompānija, SIA Vega Stividors and SIA Frigo Baltic. The Freeport of Riga Authority organised the stand of the Port of Riga at the exhibition for the fifth year now, thus promoting the recognisability of the Port of Riga and creating a convenient and attractive environment for port companies at the exhibition.
