Bread for the troops

RIGA - The baked goods company Hanzas Maiznicas has signed an agreement with the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency on the supply of baked goods for the U.S. Army’s needs, said the company’s marketing director, Edijs Vegners, reports Nozare.lv. “We responded to an announcement on procurements for the U.S. military needs. The cooperation agreement has been signed and has come into force. However, it does not envisage a specific date when the company will start the supplies,” said Vegners.

At the special event named Razotaju Dienas (Producers’ Days) in Riga last year, 100 Latvian companies took part in which they had a chance to offer their products to the U.S. government agencies. “The agreement gives us the opportunity to supply our goods, if needed. Currently, however, it is still unknown which goods the company will supply for the U.S. Army. Most of them could be wheat bread and pastry products,” said Vegners.

This is part of a larger move by Latvian businesses to benefit from the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. Business is interested in offering products at competitive prices for the U.S. soldiers’ needs in Afghanistan, Deputy Saeima Speaker Gundars Daudze (Union of Greens and Farmers) said on March 2 during a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Judith Garber.
Daudze emphasized that Latvia will continue developing economic relations with the U.S., also within the framework of the Northern Distribution Network and transit of non-military cargo to Afghanistan through the Freeport of Riga.

During the meeting, Daudze confirmed that the U.S. is a close ally and a strategic partner of Latvia, and noted the successful cooperation in politics and economy. Both sides also discussed the cooperation between their parliaments and admitted that even though the composition of Saiema and the U.S. Congress has changed, the traditionally close and friendly relations between both countries will remain.

Garber thanked the Latvian government that even in such difficult economic conditions it continues to support the peacekeeping mission of Latvian soldiers in Afghanistan. Both sides agreed that currently it is very important to increase the number of civil missions in Afghanistan to help the local residents effectively manage their own country.
Commenting on the latest developments in the Gulf of Riga, Daudze confirmed that he has discussed this issue with the transport minister, and emphasized that the thick cover of ice did not affect the supply of cargo to Afghanistan. Thirty percent of the U.S. non-military cargo to Afghanistan is being transported via the Freeport of Riga, with 20,000 containers having been delivered so far.

Garber also thanked Latvia for its support in restarting American-Russian relations, emphasizing that Latvia’s ports, with their “great reputation,” could become significant transit destinations.