Liepaja has a new Riga address

RIGA – The Liepaja trade office in Riga, closed since 1934, has reopened at Tornu 4 as a base from which the port city can increase its influence in Latvian politics, economy and culture.

The city hopes to snag investment in its port development and find new manufacturing businesses from business people stopping in Riga, hard to do when Liepaja is a four-and-a-half hour train ride from Latvia's capital city. Now Liepaja can bring the bait to Riga.

"Some who come to Riga cannot come to Liepaja, so we need to establish first contact and then show them our opportunities," Guntars Krievins, general manager of Liepaja Special Economic Zone, said.

Activities will include pushing laws through Parliament that can be favorable to Liepaja and the surrounding region of LSEZ. Employees of the office will also coordinate visits to Riga by Liepaja city council members and coordinate their work with Liepaja MPs when Parliament meets.

Liepaja had a similar office at 2 Stabu St. during the First Republic from 1922-1934 and is the only outlying city to have authorized representation in Riga.