State Secretary: Latvia and the city of Ningbo in China have good prospects in economic cooperation

On 18 April 2018 in Riga, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrejs Pildegovičs, opened the Latvia-Ningbo Economic & Trade Cooperation Symposium. The symposium took place during the visit to Latvia by the Secretary General of Ningbo Municipal Government, Zhang Liangcai, together with a business delegation. The event had been arranged to introduce companies to the latest developments in the Latvian-Chinese economic cooperation and promote new business contacts.

In his remarks, Andrejs Pildegovičs, noted the stable and constructive dialogue with China characterised by mutual trust, an active exchange of visits, and an increasing trade. Due to the Central and Eastern European and China format (16+1), intensive cooperation with China has been established in various fields and levels. This is also demonstrated by the close contacts between Latvia and Ningbo.   

Chinese businesses were invited to explore Latvia as one of the most dynamic locations in Europe and to develop cooperation projects which would be of mutual benefit. Andrejs Pildegovičs mentioned potential sectors for joint activity, including transit, aviation, tourism, technologies and innovations. The State Secretary also said he was convinced that the 4^th China – CEEC Investment and Trade Expo, which takes place in the port city of Ningbo in early June with Latvia as the guest country of honour, would be the next step towards further strengthening of economic cooperation.

The Latvia-Ningbo Economic and Trade Cooperation Symposium was organised by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia in association with the Ningbo Municipal Government. The Chinese business delegation is also to meet with the Minister of Transport, Uldis Augulis, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, Jānis Upenieks, and representatives from Ventspils and Jelgava municipalities. Chinese businessmen will then have company visits to “Laima” and “Cido”.