This page contain information copyrighted by other individuals and entities. Copyrighted material displayed in this page is done so for archival purposes only and is not intended to infringe upon the ownership rights of the original owners.
Port of Liepaja (Liyepaya) (Latvia) - Liepaja Special Economic Zone Authority (ID: 4061)
Page 1 of 1 [Back to companies list]
Liepaja as the third largest city of Latvia on the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea has always been a strategically important centre of transportation and commerce. With its ice-free port around the year and a network of railways and motorways, Liepaja port is well connected with the hinterland, including major industrial regions of Russia and other C.I.S. It takes only 24 hours for any type of cargo from Liepaja to reach any port in Northern or Western Europe, and from there to embark on voyages to further corners of the world, such as Asia and America. Within just a 5 km distance from the city center is situated the Liepaja International Airport providing both cargo handling and passenger service in its state-of-the art passenger terminal. Liepaja SEZ (special economic zone) was established in 1997 with the aim to develop and promote commerce, manufacturing, shipping and air transportation, as well as transit trade through Latvia. The goal of the Liepaja SEZ is to attract investments for the development of manufacturing and infrastructure, and creation of new jobs. The Liepaja SEZ is established for 20 years. The Liepaja SEZ covers approximately 3000 hectares which is almost 65% of the city territory, and includes the port, industrial areas, the airport, and the former navy base Karosta. With adoption of the law On application of taxes in free ports and special economic zones : Companies with SEZ status operating in the free zones have the right to the following direct and indirect tax exemptions: 80% allowance on corporate income tax; 80% - 100% allowance on real estate tax; 0% VAT rate on construction works, public utilities, gas and energy supply; exemption from customs duties and excise tax on oil products. Current projects, as well as future plans undertaken by the SEZ companies, such as construction of cargo logistics centers, promotion of passenger traffic by sea, resuming the activities at the Liepaja airport that is just a beginning for a number of co-operation projects. Liepaja is on its way to a new e- city model, which is a vital precondition for a fast and efficient exchange of information. Liepaja is where begins and ends the East West transit route. Today the city offers geographically favorably situated free territories for various businesses, along with skilful work force. All that taken together forms an attractive environment and competitive infrastructure leading to sustainable development of the region, and contributing to the growth of overall economic welfare. Since the adoption of Liepaja Special Economic Zone Law in 1997, the status of a Liepaja SEZ company has been granted to more than 30 companies. Currently there are 27 companies operating under the special preferences of SEZ. Over time some companies have given up the status of a SEZ company or ceased operation due to changes in market structure or inability to comply with obligations related to Liepaja SEZ company status. In the first half of 2002 the Liepaja SEZ company status has been granted to two firms: o LSEZ SIA Glen Oil storage and handling of oil products in Liepaja port berth No. 26; o LSEZ SIA DG Terminals - storage and handling of oil products in Liepaja port berth No. 25; o LSEZ SIA Eurosteel metal processing. In the first half of 2002 the Liepaja SEZ company status has been withdrawn from 3 companies - Liepaja Fishterminal , Liepaja Timber , Liepaja Scrap Recycling . SEZ companies invest each year significant resources in the infrastructure, construction and economic activity in the special economic zone area. Since the start-up of their entrepreneurial activity under the status of SEZ company these firms have made total investments of 43.6 million Lats, including 3.2 million in the first half of this year. Every year Liepaja SEZ companies create more than 100 new working places for port workers, electricians, drivers, workbench operators, and accountants; there is increasing demand for qualified middle rank managers. Likewise, production volumes of SEZ companies increase year by year. In the first half of 2002 the net turnover of SEZ companies reached the Ls 65 million, and export amounted to Ls 47.921 million with the share of 73.7 % of the total turnover. The production and export growth indicates an ever-increasing presence and competitiveness of SEZ companies in foreign markets. European, C.I.S. and American consumers are supplied with variety of Liepaja produce metal, plastic ware, woodwork, textile and many more. For more information about SEZ companies see Report of Liepaja SEZ activities KRASTS INVESTS Full agency service, cold storage services TERRABALT Ferry services, forwarding, ships' agency, stevedoring services, customs broker DUNA Stevedoring services, forwarding LASKANA Wood-working industry, stevedoring services, forwarding, ship s agency MOLS-L Stevedoring services, cargo storage TRANSWIDE SERVICES Stevedoring services, forwarding LIEPAJA OSTA LM General/ bulk cargo terminal, forwarding agency, ship s agency, chartering, bonded warehouse PIEMARE Full agency, stevedoring services, cold storage HIDROLATS Hydraulic production LIEPAJAS METALURGS Metallurgy production SOLO-L Bonded warehouses LIEPAJA TRANS STORAGE Free customs zone warehouses LIEPAJA BULK TERMINAL Free customs zone warehouses KURSA Fish industry, off-shore fishing, cold storage LIEPAJAS OIL EXTRACTION FACTORY Vegetable oil industry, transit of bulk cargo and vegetable oil LIEPAJA FISHTERMINAL Cold storage services PUMAC LIEPAJA Metal processing, assembling DU CONS Wood processing ERKE Furniture production LIEPAJA SCRAP RECYCLING Metal processing, trade ELME MESSER METALURGS Technical oxygen production BALTIC TRANSSHIPMENT CENTER Stevedoring services, distribution of grain products E.T.B. Metal processing, tile production, Road transportation KJELLERUP STEEL Metal processing SCAN-PLAST Production of plastic goods and chemical materials To eliminate one of the most polluted objects in the Baltic Sea basin and develop the Northern part of Liepaja port for performance of business. Benefit Contained spread of pollution in the territory of port and the Baltic Sea; Increase in cargo handling capacity on the territories next to Karosta Canal. Over the course of development of Liepaja port in the 90ies all sunk ship wrecks were salvaged and navigation is safe. First evaluation of level of pollution in Karosta Canal was performed by SIA Balt-Ost-Geo in 1992 1993. In 1995 in the framework of PHARE program by commission of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia a detailed study of pollution and possibilities of its elimination was performed by COWI Consult (Denmark) and BALTEC Associates, Inc.. They determined the type and location of pollution, as well as the most feasible way and approximate costs of its elimination. In accordance with recommendations of above-mentioned organizations it is planned to deposit the polluted soil behind a corrugated wall constructed at the end of Karosta Canal. Studies show that the pollution consists of metals, oil and other water-insoluble substances, is not radioactive, thus localization in a sealed location is sufficient to effectively eliminate the pollution. In 2000 a tender was announced and the construction of a corrugated wall the deposition site was started at the end of Canal, subsequently the polluted soil will be scooped out and deposited. In accordance with the provisions of legislation an evaluation of the environmental impact of the project was carried out after the development of technical project. One of the most polluted objects in the Baltic Sea basin will be eliminated as a result of this project. Sources of funding State Investment Program, LSEZ, grant Liepaja as the third largest city of Latvia on the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea has always been a strategically important centre of transportation Port of Liepaja (Liyepaya) (Latvia) - Liepaja Special Economic Zone Authority