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President Berzins calls for expansion of Latvian-Japanese cooperation

BC, Riga, 14.07.2014.Print version
Cooperation between Latvia and Japan needs to be expanded, Latvian President Andris Berzins said during a meeting with the EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee's Chairman and Chairman of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Masayuki Oku, informs LETA.

Andris Berzins at the meeting with the EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee's Chairman and Chairman of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group. Riga, 14.07.2014. Photo: president.lv

Japan is Latvia's 37th largest trade partner, and Latvia's trade with Japan accounts for 0.2% of the full amount of Latvia's foreign trade turnover. Berzins said he considered this to be not enough, urging both sides to consider expanding cooperation.

 

The officials discussed the possibilities for expanding Latvia and Japan's economic cooperation, emphasizing investment opportunities in Latvian infrastructure objects and Japan's experience in public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

 

Oku praised Latvia's potential for future economic growth, positively evaluating Latvia's achievements in overcoming the crisis.

 

In order to facilitate the economic and financial cooperation between Latvia and Japan, Berzins stressed that Latvia wishes to sign a double taxation avoidance agreement with Japan, which depends on Latvia and Japan's government institutions. As for the fields where economic cooperation should be deepened, Berzins mentioned logistics, wood industry, information technology, food production and tourism.

 

Berzins also addressed cultural matters, emphasizing "Riga 2014" events. He thanked Oku for his contribution to the organization of various Japanese culture events in Latvia.

 

Both officials also discussed Latvia's upcoming presidency of the EU Council, and agreed on the necessity to stabilize the situation in Ukraine.






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