Cargo, China, Containers, Cooperation, Good for Business, Latvia, Railways

Transport Minister Uldis Augulis, representatives from the state-owned joint stock railroad company Latvijas Dzelzcels, Yiwu and Shanghai officials, company YXE International Container Train representatives, and Latvian Ambassador to China Maris Selga participated in a ceremony to see off the train.

The train from Yiwu will travel a total of 11,066 kilometers through Zabaikalsk to Riga, and arrive at the Riga Central Rail Station at the beginning of November. The first pilot train has been organized by LDz Logistika, Chinese rail companies, and TransContainer.

This is a historic event for transit, and Augulis is happy to witness it, the minister said during the ceremony. He reminded that he had visited China at the beginning of summer to reach agreement with Chinese officials about closer cooperation between Latvia and China in transport and transit, and the first practical step to achieve this has been taken today, emphasized Augulis.

As reported, on July 12 this year Latvijas Dzelzcels President Edvins Berzins and China Railway Corporation General Manager Sheng Guangzu signed a protocol of intent on cooperation in the development of China Railway Express from China to Europe. The agreement stipulates development of train traffic between China and Europe, coordination of cooperation with freight shippers, suppliers, and joint marketing activities.