Discussions over logistics co-operation between Latvia and Belarus took place on 26 February in the Latvian capital, Riga.
A delegation of the Belarusian Association of International Road Carriers was welcomed by the Freeport of Riga Authority along with the Latvian Ministry of Transport and representatives from the transport and logistics industry, to explore possible co-operation between the two countries in multimodal cargo transportation via Latvian ports.
In recent years, the volume of cargo dispatched and delivered by road has increased at the Riga port. Last year these cargo accounted for 40% of the total amount of cargo handled at the Freeport. This might be attributed to changes in the port cargo assortment due to the increased share of cargo, transhipped by road – such as grain and grain products, timber and containers. According to the forecasts the volume of cargo in the coming years will remain at the current level.
“Our aim is to reduce bureaucracy and provide more competitive and client-friendly port services in freight forwarding and processing,” Ansis Zeltins, the Freeport of Riga CEO, commented.
Belarus is one of the strategic target markets of the Freeport of Riga. Together with the JSC “Latvijas Dzelzceļš”, Ministry of Transport and other representatives of the sector, the Freeport of Riga is working to attract cargo and reinforce effective cooperation.
Efficient cooperation with Belarus is very important for the Latvian logistics sector due to the fact that it might result in access to immense trade and transhipment opportunities and ensure stable growth in the future, according to the Freeport of Riga.
