OREANDA-NEWS. March 05, 2011. Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis met Governor of the Yaroslavl region of the Russian Federation Sergey Vakhrukov and representatives of the delegation within the framework of their working visit to Latvia. During the meeting the sides discussed the promotion of economic relations, as well as issues pertaining to economic cooperation between Latvia and Russia.

During the discussion, V. Dombrovskis emphasized: “The Latvian side is interested in extension of economic contacts with the Yaroslavl region and we hope that this visit will give a new impetus for cooperation”. The Prime Minister mentioned the food industry and tourism development as the most perspective areas for cooperation. S. Vakhrukov, in his turn, told about development of the tourism sector and investment projects in the Yaroslavl region. The Governor of the Yaroslavl region was interested in developing concrete cooperation projects with the Latvian food producers.

During the meeting the sides noted the role of the Agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation* that was signed last year during the visit of President of Latvia V.Zatlers to Russia. The sides also emphasized the need to continue the development of contacts also at the national level. In this regard, the cooperation between the veterinary and phytosanitary services of Latvia and the Russian Federation should be continued; it is also necessary to accelerate the border-control procedures, as well as to implement a set of other works.

In 2010, a special program of the government of Latvia was launched to promote export of food products to the Russian Federation. Within the framework of the program, the cooperation among food producers has been realized, the legal framework has been improved, the interests of Latvian companies have been promoted and the logistics system for export to Russia has been improved.

In 2010, compared to the previous year, export of food products from Latvia to the Russian Federation has increased by 61%. In 2010, the agricultural and food products exported to the Russian Federation amounted to EUR 322.4 million.

S. Vakhrukov is paying a working visit to Latvia from February 24-27. Within the framework of the visit the Governor met the Minister for Agriculture and the Minister for Economics, the Mayor of Riga and visited “Rigas Piena Kombinats”. On Saturday, February 26, a visit to the Free Port of Riga is planned.