“If you want to know the state of the economy, just take a look at rail shipment volumes”

The third Baltic regional forum Strategic Partnership 1520 aims to strengthen business ties and improve the competitiveness of the trans-European business in the global transport network.

The III International Regional Rail Business Forum “1520 Strategic Partnership: Baltic Region” opened in Riga on 17 October and was attended by more than 300 delegates and representatives of 150 companies from 15 countries. The main theme of the forum is The Baltic Region: Railway Business on a Trans-European Scale.

The opening ceremony featured welcoming addresses by Latvian President Andris Bērziņš, Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin and Latvian Railway President Uģis Magonis.

Wishing the delegates success, the Latvian president stressed the need for concerted actions in transport shipments as well as the harmonisation of railways with the 1520-mm and 1435-mm gauges. Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin noted that “political support is essential for railway officials, and the fact that the Latvian president found time to speak is a great honour for us and creates the conditions needed for productive work during the third business forum.” “If you want to know the state of the economy, just take a look at railway shipment volumes. We are currently living in a time of tremendous economic changes. It is for this reason that cooperation among railways has taken on particular importance,” Vladimir Yakunin said. Uģis Magonis also devoted special attention to the importance of developing railway shipments. “The role of railway transport in our world is growing. Today we are seeing a shift from motor transport and sea-based shipments to railway transport. The Baltic region has significant experience in developing new transport corridors that connect the 1520 and 1435 spaces,” the Latvian Railways president said.

The most topical issues concerning the development of the Baltic region’s transport and logistics industry were discussed during the plenary session Baltic Region: Business Partnership in the 1520 and 1435 Spaces, which was moderated by Uģis Magonis. Some of the specific issues addressed at the session include the White Paper on EU transport policy, infrastructure modernisation to improve the quality of the transport process, common transport regulations for the business interests of the 1520 and 1435 spaces, and the priorities for the development of the East-West and North-South transport corridors.

The rapid pace of the socioeconomic development of Baltic region countries indicates it as a territory for growth. Located at the crossroads of trade routes and being a European outpost for the 1520 Area, the Baltic region is of great interest to all partners working with the “wide” rail gauges.

The plenary session was followed by a press conference attended by Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin, Latvian Railway President Uģis Magonis, Lithuanian Railways Director General Stasis Dailydka and Estonian Railways Management Board Chairman Kaido Simmermann.
The first working day of the business forum ended with a discussion titled Technological and Operational Compatibility as a Growth Factor for the Railway Business. The meeting participants discussed opportunities for coordinating efforts to modernise existing and build new railway infrastructure, increase route speeds and freight shipment volumes, synchronise control and traffic safety systems as well as numerous other important aspects of cooperation within the 1520 and 1435 railway systems.

Over the rest of the forum, the participants will continue to discuss ways to develop the railway business, including: mechanisms for attracting investment to the industry, boosting transport competitiveness, improving the quality and range of services offered, and modernising railway infrastructure.