newstodate.aero
FEB 23, 2004 (newstodate): It is still to early to make sound predictions about year 2004, but it is at least safe to state that it has come off to a nice start in Latvia, says a forwarding agent.
-We see volumes at about the levels of late 2003, and that was absolutely a positive growth period, says Evita Duma, Panda Kargo manager.
-At this early stage of the year, contracts for deliveries in 2004 have still not been signed, so exports are relatively low right now, but I expect this to change very soon, she says.
While the short-term effects from Latvia's entry into the EU are hard to assess, there seems to be little doubt that Latvia will benefit, and cargo volumes will rise in the slightly longer perspective.
-I am afraid many people here are still rather unclear about exactly how the transition will perform. I am convinced that we will see an increase in economy, entailing rising cargo volumes, but of course competition from other EU members will increase, too, she says.
In August Panda Kargo added a new office at Riga Airport, manned with three staff to handle air and sea/air cargo.
-We see volumes at about the levels of late 2003, and that was absolutely a positive growth period, says Evita Duma, Panda Kargo manager.
-At this early stage of the year, contracts for deliveries in 2004 have still not been signed, so exports are relatively low right now, but I expect this to change very soon, she says.
While the short-term effects from Latvia's entry into the EU are hard to assess, there seems to be little doubt that Latvia will benefit, and cargo volumes will rise in the slightly longer perspective.
-I am afraid many people here are still rather unclear about exactly how the transition will perform. I am convinced that we will see an increase in economy, entailing rising cargo volumes, but of course competition from other EU members will increase, too, she says.
In August Panda Kargo added a new office at Riga Airport, manned with three staff to handle air and sea/air cargo.