China, EU – Baltic States, Investments, Latvia, Port, Railways, Transport

Photo: flickr.com

According to the ministry, Chinese National Development and Reform Commission's Vice Chairman Ning Jizhe had a meeting with Transport Minister Uldis Augulis (Greens/Farmers) in Riga yesterday, confirming that it was important for China to develop container train traffic to Latvia and Northern Europe, and expressing interest in investing in the Rail Baltica railroad project and national airline airBaltic. Jizhe also underlined Latvia's role in the 16+1 format (16 Eastern European countries plus China).

Augulis said that Latvia was continuing to popularize itself as a Northern European logistics hub by linking up partners in China and Central Asia with transport and logistics companies in the West.

China has also supported a proposal to cooperate in defining transport corridors between the Trans-European Transport Networks and China's One Belt, One Road initiative.

During the meeting today, China's representatives were also informed about the latest developments in Latvian transit and logistics sector and Latvia's main transport infrastructure projects. The information was presented by the Transport Ministry's Transit Policy Department Director Andris Maldups, airBaltic board member Martin Sedlacky, RB Rail CEO Baiba Rubesa, and representatives of Latvijas Dzelzcels, LDz Cargo Logistika, and Freeport of Ventspils.

Also the Chinese delegation visited the Freeport of Riga, where it discussed the possibility of cooperation in the field of container transport, and got acquainted with the progress of the terminal project on the Krievu Island.