Turnover for Klaipeda Port has decreased some 17.9 percent in the January 's March period. During the three month period 6.48 million tons of seaborne cargo was handled in Klaipeda Sea Port, 1.41 million tons less than during the same period in 2008. Cargo handling volumes decreased by one fourth in March, down 24.2 percent from the previous year. Passenger numbers were also down by 20.7 percent. The biggest growth rates during January - March this year were reached in handling agricultural products, bulk peat, minerals, building materials and packed fertilizers, reported BC Statistics specialist of Klaipeda Sea Port Kestutis Voveris.
Estonia's Riigikogu Centre Party faction has initiated a legislative proposal aimed to set the maximum salary limit of members of the management board of state-owned companies and foundations at 90,000 kroons per month, writes LETA. The opposition party's proposal applies to the wages of members of the management board of state-founded enterprises and of enterprises where the state has decision-making rights. "In the current situation where the private sector is significantly cutting the wages of their employees and of the members of the management board, the state enterprises also have to show solidarity and cut the wages of CEOs and members of the management board that have risen sky-high," said party member Kadri Simson. The proposal would bring CEO salaries in line with the president's wage, which is set at 91,819 kroons per month.
Gazprom has opened its first European office in Riga. The company expressed interest in Latvia due to the important energy projects in the region, including the gas pipeline from Paldiski in Estonia to Finland as well as the Nord Stream pipeline, running from Russia to Germany. Gazprom said that connecting the underground gas storage facility in Dobele to NordStream is worthy of consideration to further pursue their interests in the Baltics.