The project’s ESTLAT HARBOURS (ESTLAT55) kick-off meeting was held in Riga on October 17. It was possibility to meet together all partners, representatives from small harbours and specialists from ministries, municipalities. More than 50 people were interested to learn more about the project’s ambitions, opportunities and goals.
The event was opened with the speech of Evita Dreijere, Director of Kurzeme Planning Region Administration, who pointed out that Kurzeme Planning Region as the Lead Partner will do the best (and even more) to achieve the maximum results within the project. Helena Jarviste, Estonia – Latvia Programme, Head of Secretariat, noted the importance and amount of the ESTLAT HARBOURS project comparing with other Estonia- Latvia programme supported projects and investments (in the chart):
The satisfaction of the project’s kick off, after 4 years long work to get investments for the small harbours, expressed also Jānis Megnis, Chairperson of Latvian Small Harbour Association.
All towns and cities, where the small harbours will be developed (in Kurzeme region – Liepāja, Pāvilosta, Ventspils, Roja, Mērsrags), the tourism and the improvement of the environment will be as side products. Small Harbour Development Centre of Estonia expert Jaano Martin Ots already showed examples from Estonia how the yachting and small harbours become as the essential part of Estonian regions within the last years.
Also Mārtiņš Eņģelis, representative from LIAA Tourism department, stressed out the importance of the marketing of the small harbour network to reach the tourists. Mr.Eņģelis also mentioned that yachting and small harbours might be as the important element to make cities more attractive for everyone – for locals and visitors, for businessmen etc.
The above reflects author’s views and the Managing Authority of Estonia-Latvia Programme is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
The presentations from the seminar are available here:
