Several hundred million lats will be invested in the Freeport of Riga in the next few years, the port's board chairman, Ainars Slesers (Latvia's First Party/Latvia's Way), told reporters on Monday.
The port's turnover will increase from the present 30 million tons to 50 million tons a year in four years' time. To achieve this, money will be invested in the port by the state, with the help of the European Union's structural funds, as well as by the private sector, informs LETA.
Slesers said that he is perplexed why development of ports has not been set a priority in Latvia. "The state will exit the crisis if the ports are given priority. This is one of the businesses that continue successful development at this time, and money must be invested in ports to promote their development," said Slesers.
Slesers also said that ports do not receive enough co-financing from the state for utilization of the EU funds.
Ports give jobs to thousands of people, and even more thousands in other, related sectors, for instance, the railroad, said Slesers. Experts estimate that the state earns LVL 10 from each ton handled at Latvian ports, he said, adding that, after the turnover of the Freeport of Riga is increased, the state will be earning LVL 500 million a year from the Riga Port.
According to Slesers, many new terminals will be built at the port, and the port's infrastructure will be bettered. The port will be gradually moved away from downtown Riga toward the sea. Prospective investors in the C.I.S. countries will be addressed to attract more cargo and investments to the port.
The Freeport of Riga CEO Leonids Loginovs said that environmental protection will be high on the agenda of the development of the port, and environment-friendly projects will be implemented at the port.
Speaking of Kundzinsala residents, Slesers stressed that residents in this area will not be forced to leave, but the port will be forthcoming if anyone of them wish to sell their property for reasonable price and move elsewhere. "Now is a good time for buying an apartment elsewhere," he said.
Slesers said that he is perplexed why development of ports has not been set a priority in Latvia. "The state will exit the crisis if the ports are given priority. This is one of the businesses that continue successful development at this time, and money must be invested in ports to promote their development," said Slesers.
Slesers also said that ports do not receive enough co-financing from the state for utilization of the EU funds.
Ports give jobs to thousands of people, and even more thousands in other, related sectors, for instance, the railroad, said Slesers. Experts estimate that the state earns LVL 10 from each ton handled at Latvian ports, he said, adding that, after the turnover of the Freeport of Riga is increased, the state will be earning LVL 500 million a year from the Riga Port.
According to Slesers, many new terminals will be built at the port, and the port's infrastructure will be bettered. The port will be gradually moved away from downtown Riga toward the sea. Prospective investors in the C.I.S. countries will be addressed to attract more cargo and investments to the port.
The Freeport of Riga CEO Leonids Loginovs said that environmental protection will be high on the agenda of the development of the port, and environment-friendly projects will be implemented at the port.
Speaking of Kundzinsala residents, Slesers stressed that residents in this area will not be forced to leave, but the port will be forthcoming if anyone of them wish to sell their property for reasonable price and move elsewhere. "Now is a good time for buying an apartment elsewhere," he said.