The Latvian transport and logistics industry can provide competitive services in connecting Asia and Europe - on 26 May 2021, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Ms Ilonda Stepanova discussed with the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Latvia H.E. Mr Liang Jianquan. During the online meeting, the parties discussed bilateral cooperation in transport and logistics.
At the meeting, the State Secretary Ms Ilonda Stepanova said that “Latvian enterprises seek to capture new opportunities for the purposes to recover from the epidemic and to developing new air, land, railway and sea transport links for cargo and passenger flows in the post-COVID period.”
COVID-19 epidemic has brought many difficulties and hardships, causing massive economic and social disruptions. Countries, governments, and communities around the world are under pressure to make a well-coordinated multilateral effort to return to normal operations as soon as possible.
In response to the prolonged pandemic situation, significant adjustments and improvements are also being made in traditional trade flows, transport modes and routes between Asia and Europe, including China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC). China is leading the world in COVID-19 epidemic control and prevention. And so, China may be well-positioned to initiate a master reset in traditional passenger and freight transport links between Asia and Europe and vice-versa.
In turn, the Latvian transport and logistics industry can provide efficient, economical and safe services and solutions for large transit flows of dry-bulk, liquid cargo, chemicals, agricultural products, general cargo, and containers.
This year, Latvia and China celebrate the 30th year since the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 5th year since Latvia joined the Belt and Road Initiative and China-CEEC cooperation format.
Under the guidance of the bilateral government-to-government agreement on air services and maritime transport, and the ministry-to-ministry agreement on railway transport, the transport industries in both countries have been implementing a series of fruitful and mutually complementary cooperation. As a result, Latvia is successfully connected with China by railways, maritime and aviation links, forming a foundation for long-term Sino-Latvian economic cooperation development.