"If all European port authorities are placed on a level playing field, then Latvian ports would rank among the best," said Austris Caunitis, spokesman for Gorbunovs. "Latvia's ports offer quality and security, and within two to three years we will catch up to the level of Finland."
During Gorbunovs' visit to Germany, which is one of Latvia's largest export trade markets, the transport minister emphasized to the German government that Latvia can provide a cheaper sea transport route to and from Russia.
"The Germans are very interested in the shortest travel route from Germany to Russia which is through the Latvian sea port of Liepaja," said Caunitis.
During Gorbunovs' visit to Hamburg and Bremen, he met with their mayors, the German transport minister, port officials and local businessmen associated with sea transportation.
One of the most important events was the Pro Baltic Transport and Logistics conference held in Hamburg.
"St. Petersburg is building three new ports in Russia, but they cannot offer an ice free port during the winter months," said Caunitis. "We will lose some freight transport with the new ports and Russia's possible sanctions against Latvia, but we have the benefit of being a closer route for European companies.
"As soon as businesses start counting the money incurred during freight transportation, they will realize that Latvia is a cheaper alternative for their money," he said.
On April 13, the city of Kolding in Denmark was to hold the meeting of the Baltic Sea States Council. Former Latvian Prime Minister Andris Skele was to attend, but because of his sacking of former Economics Minister Vladimirs Makarovs and his own resulting resignation, the Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins attended the meeting.
The meeting of the BSSC is seen as another step in increasing the transportation of freight through Latvian sea ports.
"The meeting of the BSSC is an important summit to discuss trade and investment in the Baltic Sea region and increase an effective strategy to benefit cross-border cooperation between Baltic countries," said Liga Bergmane, spokeswoman for Berzins.
The Ministry of Transport sees the BSSC meeting and the summit on Logistics in the Baltic Sea Region in Latvia this autumn as an ideal opportunity to propose Latvian ports as a sound sea route for the transportation of freight.
"Along with the summit that will be in Latvia next year, there will also be a meeting of the EBRD and an economic forum. A part of the forum will be held at the Ventspils port," said Caunitis. The Transport Ministry is recommending to overseas governments that with the economic free zone at the Ventspils port it is very economically viable to transport cargo through the port.
"Gorbunovs made mention to the Germans that the port of Ventspils is a very modern port facility, and construction of three cargo ports and a container terminal will add to its effectiveness," said Caunitis. "The port also offers $1 per square meter for storage when other European storage costs at ports are $6 to $7 a square meter."
The news service LETA has reported that German businessmen will be arriving in Ventspils at the end of May to learn about the options Ventspils port offers.
Aivars Lembergs, the mayor of Ventspils, told LETA that the Germans are pleased that 99 percent of issues linked to implementation of a project in Ventspils can be settled on the spot and there is no need to go to Riga.
Caunitis said that with these continued talks with Latvia's major trading partners, Latvia can see a rise in the level of freight being transported through Latvian ports. In the first quarter of this year the level of cargo turnover at Latvian ports was 13,560,500 tons. The quarterly figure is 1,122,900 up on last year's figures year on year and a rise of 9 percent.
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