newstodate.aero

Aug 28, 2023 (newstodate): As the only country in the Baltic region, Latvia seems still eager to play a role in China's Road & Belt Initiative.
   In 2016, both Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania took part in China's 16+1 format, with the 1st China/Central and Eastern European countries' Transport Ministers' meeting and Business conference held on May 16-17, 2016, in Riga, Latvia, with Latvian national Arturs Kokars, then Riga Airport Director of Strategic Development, playing a key role.
   In May 2021, Lithuania however left the 16+1 group, followed in 2022 by Estonia and Latvia that claimed "current foreign and trade policy priorities” as a thinly veiled explanation.
   Now Mr Kokars, since April 2021 Aviation Director at Latvia's Ministry of Transport, in Chinese language, is proudly posting a Belt & Road List of Projects comprising six investment objects in Latvia seeking funds or open for outright acquisition.
   The list comprises investments in Riga Airport City and Riga Cargo City as well as the eventual acquisition of the company ACTS, Aviation Cargo Transit Services, at Riga Airport.
   ACTS is the official cargo handling agent for Turkish Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways, and is an approved cargo handling agent in NATO cargo programs.
   The list also comprises Port of Ventspils, Freeport Riga and Spilve Park, a greenfield logistics project.