Slesers backs Riga as finance capital

  • 2008-02-18
  • In cooperation with BNS

RIGA -- Riga can become an important world financial centre,according to Latvia's Transport Minister Ainars Slesers.

"We have to understand that Riga has its mission. Riga has a big chanceto become a world-level city and financial metropolis," he said at ameeting of his Latvia's First Party and Latvia's Way (LPP/LC) political partyon Feb. 16.

Slesers added that fears about the country's economic problems areexaggerated. "There are no problems in my industry," said thetransport minister.

"Our infrastructures can deliver cargo from our ports to any place inthe former Soviet Union, up to the border of China," said Slesers.

"Development of the Riga airport is not any more the priority ofSlesers alone," he said, referring to himself in the third person.

Slesers alos launched a broadside against Aigars Stokenbergs when hedenounced politicians using populist methods such as promised pensionsincreases to gain support.