Swedish Chamber of Commerce Members Meet with Rail Baltica: Fostering Nordic Cooperation for Mobility, Sustainable Development, and Regional Security

This week, members of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Latvia partnered with Rail Baltica management members and experts for a seminar to discuss the project's latest developments and future prospects. Co-organized with the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Latvia and the Embassy of Sweden, the event served as a platform for discussions and informative exchanges.

Representatives from various sectors, including logistics, freight, real estate, construction materials production, moving companies, and shipping line companies, participated in the seminar, underscoring the diverse interests and potential impacts of the Rail Baltica project across different industries.

Marko Kivila, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board at RB Rail AS, and Ms Kitija Gruškevica, CESGO and Member of the Management Board at RB Rail AS, presented the project's progress and future trajectory. Kivila emphasized the project's alignment with major trans-European transport networks (TEN-T corridors), particularly the North Sea - Baltic Sea and the Baltic Sea - Black Sea - Aegean Sea corridors, of which Rail Baltica is a part. He highlighted significant collaborations and contracts signed with international suppliers, totaling more than 4.7 billion euros. Kivila also underscored the importance of cooperation with Sweden, citing its potential to enhance logistical capabilities, particularly in terms of rapid military deployment. “It is fascinating to see how this mega-project is advancing step by step; we were privileged to get to visit the construction site where the new central station is starting to take shape.  I think the value of the Rail Baltica project cannot be overstated; its importance for the security, prosperity, and facilitating of people-to-people contacts is clear not only for the Baltic States but also for partners and allies in the wider region,” said H.E. Karin Höglund, Ambassador of Sweden to Latvia.

“Rail Baltica holds a crucial position in bolstering military mobility. With Sweden's recent NATO membership in mind, our collaboration also resonates with the alliance's goals, strengthening defense and interoperability. Our joint efforts contribute to a shared vision of integration, thereby enhancing stability in the Baltic Sea region and bolstering deterrence against security threats," said Marko Kivila.

Rail Baltica's significance as a vital component in the European Union's efforts towards market integration was also emphasized during the event. Arnis Staltmanis, representing the Rail Baltica national implementing body in Latvia, Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas, offered insights into the construction progress in Latvia. “Rail Baltica is a geostrategic and economically crucial infrastructure project for our region, and we highly appreciate meeting Swedish entrepreneurs to both strengthen awareness and partnerships in implementing Rail Baltica,” said Arnis Staltmanis, Board Member of Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas.

"We witnessed how strategically significant and extensive the Rail Baltica project is for Baltic and Nordic regional cooperation, mobility, and sustainable future development. We are grateful for the opportunity for the members of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and the Swedish Embassy to get acquainted with the development and implementation of the project right at the construction epicenter – Rail Baltica Riga Central Station," said Ilze Neparte-Saleniece, Executive Director of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Latvia.

Entrepreneurs visited the Rail Baltica Riga Central Hub construction site, where the shape of the future station and platforms is very well visible, showcasing the maturity and progress of construction activity.

About Rail Baltica 

Rail Baltica is one of Europe's largest high-speed infrastructure projects, aiming to establish a modern and sustainable rail link that connects the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with the European rail network. It is also a part of the trans-European transport corridor.

Rail Baltica will be a fully electrified, double-track railway with a standard gauge of 1435 mm and will be equipped with ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) and designed to meet European standards. With a design speed of 249 km/h, Rail Baltica will significantly reduce travel times between the Baltic States and major European cities. It will serve as a modern infrastructure for passenger, freight, and military mobility, promoting accessibility and facilitating business, tourism, and cultural exchange. Additionally, the project will enhance the Baltic region's position as a vital transit hub, fostering stronger trade connections and promoting regional cooperation.

About RB Rail AS 

RB Rail AS is a multinational joint venture of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania established to lead and coordinate the implementation of the Rail Baltica Global Project, the first infrastructure development project of this scale in the Baltic region. More about Rail Baltica global project: www.railbaltica.org