The industry of Latvia: textile, sewing, amber fishing. Riga Carriage Works. Food industry enterprises

Many for some reason unreasonably believe that Latvia is a country in which almost nothing is produced. Yes, unfortunately, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, this small Baltic state experienced a severe economic crisis because of the severance of economically and economically established economic ties with other former Soviet republics for years. However, these days it is already possible to state with confidence: the industry of Latvia is alive and even shows signs of growth. This topic we will consider in detail in the article.

Food and Textile

Light and food industry - these are the areas of the national economy of the Latvian state, which in recent years are slowly increasing their turnover. Yes, this process is not going so fast as we would like, but the dynamics are still positive, and Riga knitwear is beginning to be realized not only within Latvia, but also in other countries of the world.

It is worth noting that the production of food and beverages accounts for a quarter of the country's total income. In this case, more and more often in the shops you can see products of local production, which were previously imported from abroad. The food industry of Latvia in the domestic market is represented by such key players: Rīgas piena kombināts, Dobeles dzirnavnieks, Antaris, Rīgas dzirnavnieks, Aloja-starkelsen, Cido grupa, Balticovo, Puratos, Spilve.

The work in Latvia in the food industry is focused on the stable export of hard cheeses, butter, milk, canned fish, fruit and berry preparations, pickles, cereals and meat products, confectionery products, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. All this is supplied even in the USA, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates. In addition, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia are regular partners in the production of food products.

As for the light industry, there are basically no large companies in Latvia in this segment of the economy. The only exception is the Lauma factory. According to experts, the textile sector gives about 4% of the country's industrial income. However, local manufacturers have repeatedly noted that they are able to significantly increase the volume of products, but there is an acute shortage of labor and skilled personnel. The most famous enterprises are Stora Enso Latvija, Verems, Gaujas koks, Pata AB, BSW, Latsin.

An inseparable part of textile production is the release of beautiful underwear, the quality and design of which was highly appreciated at many international exhibitions in Europe and the Russian Federation. Designers from Latvia have already gained worldwide recognition, because they often participate in a variety of numerous displays of clothing. Riga jersey is recognized by many world consumers as high-quality products.

A distinctive feature of the sewing giants of Latvia is that they very quickly fulfill their orders. This became possible due to the fact that the factories use modern technologies: high-precision laser cutting of fabrics, short-term cutting and release of waterproof fabrics.

Issue of paper and products from it

The Latvian industry also has a pulp industry. This industry gives revenue to the state budget in the amount of 2% of the volume of the entire existing industrial environment. Despite such a small figure, Latvian printing shows that it is very competitive in the world market. Now there is a good trend: Latvian paper producers are moving to new heights, starting to sell their environmentally friendly products not only to neighboring Scandinavian countries, but also to more western corners of the European continent.

Chemical industry

This direction of the national economy gives almost 3% of the total volume of production of the country. The Republic of Latvia produces a wide range of household chemicals and industrial gases. A serious role is assigned to the release of biofuel. The most important participants in this segment of the market can be considered Riga paint factory, Tenachem, Bio-Venta, Stenders. The country produces paints, primers, glues - all this is produced by 14 Latvian enterprises. Also, chemical companies of the state produce concrete products, ceramic tiles, gypsum products.

At the Latvian Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, special studies are being carried out which allow the development of high-temperature synthesis to yield nanopowders as a result.

Pharmacology

The real "titans" of this industry are the companies Olainfarm un Grindeks. Their products can be easily found in any pharmacy in the country. At the same time, Silvanols starts actively attacking the heels. The pharmaceutical industry contributes to the state treasury the amount of 2.5% of its annual volume.

Also, the Institute of Organic Synthesis is considered a major manufacturer of the industry. According to experts, the pharmaceutical industry for the most part has chosen a development strategy based on the direction of low risks (development and creation of generics and food additives).

Special attention should be paid to Silvanols, which specializes in the manufacture of OTC medicines, which are based exclusively on natural ingredients. You can not ignore the company and Pharmidea, which produces sterile injection forms.

If we mention genetic studies, then in Latvia the work in this direction is carried out in a clear, even it can be said strict compliance with the legislation of the country. All new items can be registered and receive after that the corresponding patent in the Patent Office of the Republic.

Transport

Transport companies in Latvia are very developed due to the well-planned logistics of the state. You can reach up to 25 million customers in the whole Baltic region in just 48 hours. The carried out research showed that on the railway route, laid from Riga to China, it is possible to drive a month faster than the shortest sea route. And from the Riga airport it is possible to get almost one hundred points on the world map, and flights are carried out not only across Europe, but also across the Atlantic.

Such ports as Ventspils and Liepaja do not freeze even in winter, which allows them to take crude oil and oil products all year round. In addition, special economic zones have been established in these ports to create the most favorable conditions for conducting business and attracting investments. The unconditional advantage of these sea gates is that they have a huge potential in the form of undeveloped territories.

Also Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia are interconnected by an international transport corridor called Via Baltica. The priority directions are the development and construction of logistics centers for the distribution of traffic flows and industrial parks.

Products from rubber and plastic

The industry of Latvia, namely the sphere of production of rubber and plastic products, is focused mainly on local consumers, which is explained by the high degree of activity of builders. It will be rational to note that this industry is the one that is able to completely cover the need of domestic buyers, thanks to which there is the opportunity to abandon imports in this direction. The production of rubber and plastic allows the state to contribute 2.3% of the total amount of money received to the treasury.

The most famous companies are Evopipes, Rotons, Poliurs, Baltijas gumijas fabrika, Sunningdale Tech, Fedak-Films, HGF Rīga.

Information and Communication Technologies

This sector of the Latvian economy began its active development back in the 1960s. It was at that time that the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science was opened, as well as the Institute of Electronics. Latvia was connected to the world Internet network in 1992. According to data for 2016, the Republic of Latvia is among the top ten countries with the fastest Internet connection speed, and the service itself is available to 90% of the local population.

The main subsectors of the information sector of the country can be considered the development of software, a variety of mobile applications, payment systems, hosting provision, the formation of e-commerce.

Official statistics say that in 2015, more than 6,000 companies were involved in the information segment of the country. At the same time, only 114 of them were engaged in the production of computer equipment. The number of employed people in the IT field was more than 28,000 people. The main business partners of Latvia in the international arena are Sweden and Malta.

In this Baltic republic of the most used e-commerce services is Internet banking, due to which many Latvian banks have achieved excellent results in their work.

Also in the country, a promising area is the creation of mobile applications and electronic programs for the government, the Ministry of Health, local authorities.

In the summer of 2012, an IT center was opened in Riga, the main purpose of which was to provide an opportunity to familiarize with the new achievements of the sector to all comers. This institution has already been visited by a huge number of people, including government delegations from other countries.

Metalworking and machine building

The industry of Latvia is simply unthinkable without engineering and metal processing. This sector of the economy is the most promising in the republic, as many foreign companies invest in it.

The industry uses advanced technologies, but traditional methods are also not forgotten. To date, Latvian enterprises have carried out restructuring in order to establish production of export-oriented products.

In 2015, machine building and metalworking gave the state a coffer of 1.1 billion euros, and in 2016 this figure was already 3.3 billion. More than 70% of the products are exported abroad. The main consumers are: Estonia, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Denmark.

Long-term and professional contracts are signed in large part thanks to the fact that most Latvian enterprises are awarded ISO 9000 quality certificates.

The Riga Carriage Works deserve special attention. It was founded in 1985 by Oscar Freivirt. The company specialized in the production of electric and diesel trains, city trams. In addition, the plant also carried out repairs of railway equipment. However, unfortunately, in 1997 the legendary enterprise was declared bankrupt, and its property was sold. For today the factory again works, and its diesel train ДР1Б has been recognized by the best goods delivered on export from Latvia in 2005.

Woodworking and forestry

The work in Latvia at forest enterprises is, in fact, a public service, since about 50% of all the forest lands of the country are state property and are controlled by it. In the past 80 years, the area of forests in the country has almost doubled. Latvian forests are in a better position compared to the rest of the world's forests, because their general condition is excellent, and the area of the stands is regularly raised.

About 75% of wood based products are exported. In 2015, the income from the sale of wood products and raw materials amounted to 2 billion euros. In addition to lumber and roundwood, the volume of exports of cardboard, paper, packaging made of wood, construction materials is increasing.

The main consumers of the industry's products are Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, who purchase goods from companies Avoti SWF, Daiļrade koks, Elīza-K, Pinus GB and others.

Jewelry products and cosmetics

The jewelery sphere in Latvia is also quite developed. Traditions of Latvian masters are maintained to this day. To learn such a subtle business can be in the Latvian Academy of Arts, schools in Ventspils, Kraslava, Jelgava. Amber jewelry from the Baltic Sea coast has a special price and is highly quoted in the professional environment and among consumers. After storms on the coast south of Ventspils in Latvia, real jewelers very often collect this stone. In general, historically through Latvia lies the amber route from the Baltic to Rome. In addition, amber jewelry in the country is used in the manufacture of accessories and textiles.

It is also worth noting that in this Baltic republic there live a fairly large number of high-class jewelry masters who continue the glorious traditions of their ancestors.

A special story worthy of cosmetics "Dzintars." This company is based in Riga. Her specialization is the creation of perfumes, herbal components, cosmetics. The team employs about 400 people.

During the period from 1998 to 2004, the firm reorganized, thanks to which it received certificates from a German audit company. Also, the company has long had documents confirming the quality of its products - ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and ISO / IEC 17025. In addition, the company was awarded the prestigious award The World Intellectual Property Organization. And in 2010, the specialists of Dzintars received an international license Ecocert.