Valmiera

E u r o p e / L at vi a

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Valmiera

ESTONIA

Salacgrīva Valmiera

RUSSIA

Ventspils

RĪGA Jūrmala

Ogre

Jēkabpils

Rēzekne

Jelgava Liepāja

Daugavpils

LITHUANIA

Legend

Highways Railway tracks Natural gas pipelines

Cities Valmiera

BELARUS

Helsinki 57 min

Oslo 1 h 33 min

Stockholm 1 h 3 min Tallinn 51 min

Riga

Moscow 1 h 33 min

Copenhagen 1 h 24 min

Dublin

Vilnius

2 h 58 min

50 min

Minsk 1h

London 2 h 35 min

Berlin 1 h 33 min

Warsaw 1 h 12 min

Kiev 1 h 33 min

Paris 2 h 37 min

Chisinau 1 h 58 min

Bucharest 2 h 14 min

Madrid 3 h 53 min

Rome

Istanbul

2 h 49 min

2 h 45 min

Athens 3 h 7 min

Valletta 3 h 33 min

Valmiera in Facts and Figures Invest Wisely! Invest in Valmiera!

Valmiera is one of the 9 cities under state jurisdiction.

Population: 26 000 / eighth largest city in Latvia

Population Structure Under working age

Major transport hubs: Valmiera Bus Terminal: direct

21% 64%

15%

Unemployment rate: On 28 July 2014 – around 6.3% (2nd lowest in Latvia), from those, 18.4% with higher education, 35% with professional education, 30% with secondary education, 16% with primary education and 0.6% under primary education

Over working age

bus lines to Riga (20 times per day) and other biggest cities in Latvia; international destinations: Valga, Tartu, Narva, St. Petersburg; Valmiera Railway Station: direct train connection with Riga and Tartu (with a stopover in Valga) and Tallinn (with a stopover in Tartu)

The A3 motorway is a national road in Latvia connecting Inčukalns–Valmiera–Estonian border in Valka; the road is a part of the European route E264 Of working age

Total area: 18.18 km2 Main industries: Chemical and textile industry, metal processing, food production, construction, trade and furniture production

Distance to the neighbouring countries

Distance to the nearest airports

2

Estonia

Russia

Belarus

Lithuania

50 km

150 km

280 km

200 km

Riga International Airport

Tartu Airport

Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport

118 km

132 km

263 km

Others

Economic Structure (Employed, %)

11.7 Health care

State and municipal services

6.9

21.9

Construction

7.9

Production

21

Different services

12.9 Trade Source: State Revenue Service

17.7

Structure of Companies Located in Valmiera City 30

29.7

25

27.8

20 15 10 5

2.6

4.4

9

1.7

7.7

7.1

4.5

4.1

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From the total number of companies in %

3

Economic Overview Companies with the Highest Turnover in Valmiera

4

Company

Turnover in 2013 (million EUR)

Industry

1

JSC “Valmieras stikla šķiedra”

88.53

Textile & chemical industry

2

JSC “Valmieras piens”

44.3

Food production

3

Agricultural cooperative “Vidzemes agroekonomiskā kooperatīvā sabiedrība”

39.69

Agriculture

4

Agricultural cooperative “Trikāta KS”

25.90

Agriculture

5

“Vidzemes Energoceltnieks” Ltd.

17.34

Construction

6

“Lars Limited” Ltd.

14.67

Retail

7

“Valpro” Ltd.

11.7

Metal processing

8

Agricultural cooperative “Māršava”

10.99

Agriculture

9

“Vidzemes slimnīca” Ltd.

10.66

Health care

10

JSC “Valmieras Enerģija”

7.16

Energy production

Foreign Direct Investment The largest foreign investors (by country)*: 1. Germany – EUR 30.6 M (invested in 8 companies) 2. Sweden – EUR 2.8 M (invested in 17 companies) 3. The Netherlands – EUR 0.42 M (invested in 4 companies) 4. Russian Federation – EUR 0.15 M (invested in 12 companies) 5. Estonia – EUR 0.06 M (invested in 18 companies) Total amount of foreign direct investments – EUR 34 332 563.

The largest foreign investors (by company): 1. Vitrulan International GmbH (Germany) – EUR 12.3 M (JSC “Valmieras stikla šķiedra” – Textile & chemical industry) 2. P-D Glasseiden GmbH Oschatz (Germany) – EUR 8.8 M (JSC “Valmieras stikla šķiedra” – Textile & chemical industry) 3. P-D Management Industries-Technologies Gmbh (Germany) – EUR 8.1 M (JSC “Valmieras stikla šķiedra” – Textile & chemical industry) 4. Livland Skog AB (Sweden) – EUR 2.1 M (“Sundin Mežs” Ltd. – Forestry, silviculture) 5. Baltic SME Fund C.V. (The Netherlands) – EUR 0.41 M (“V.L.T.” Ltd. – Paper and cardboard production) 6. ZAVERIA Lettland AB (Sweden) – EUR 0.31 M (“ZAVERIA” Ltd. – Forestry, silviculture) 7. STEN ANDREN PLAST I LANDVETTER AB (Sweden) – EUR 0.25 M (“Valmiera-Andren” Ltd. – Plastic building element production)

Tax Relief for Investors Entrepreneurs/companies may be eligible for the following discounts on the real estate tax amount: A 25% discount on: • industrial production buildings owned by companies and actually used for basic production, • newly built or reconstructed buildings actually used for economic activity (for 1 year), • buildings owned by active start-up businesses who have created at least five new jobs.

A 90% discount on an industrial production building currently under construction or a newly erected building.

A 70% discount on an industrial production building which is under reconstruction or may not be used during reconstruction until the commissioning of the facility.

For further information regarding the terms of real estate tax relief write to the e-mail address info@valmiera.lv

Source: www.lursoft.lv *Amount of investments within the period of 1991–2014

5

An Open Business Climate Areas Available for Apartment Buildings and Light Manufacturing Industry in Valmiera

See the description of the territories on the next page

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Territory for Development of Light Industry 1. Kauguru iela 22 (8.42 ha, land cover – forest) 2. Cēsu iela 37A (0.31 ha, land cover – forest), road infrastructure completed 3. Lodes iela 5B (0.23 ha, land cover – meadow) 4. Lodes iela 5C (0.32 ha, land cover – meadow) 5. Lodes iela 5D (0.17 ha, land cover – meadow) 6. Kauguru iela 7 (1.57 ha, land cover – forest), road infrastructure completed 7. Stacijas laukums 10 (2.67 ha, land cover – meadow), road infrastructure completed 8. Lodes iela 1E (5.22 ha, land cover – meadow) 9. Abula iela 1B (2.76 ha, land cover – forest), road infrastructure completed 10. Mūrmuižas iela 28 (2.39 ha, land cover – meadow), water mains, sewerage, electricity and gas available, road infrastructure completed 11. Beyond the city bypass road (2.99 ha, land cover – meadow) 12. Valkas iela 62 (5.15 ha, land cover – meadow), road infrastructure completed

Territory for Development of Residential Areas 13. Ausekļa iela 30 (1.46 ha, land cover – meadow) – for economy and middle-class apartments. Water mains, sewerage, electricity and gas. Distance to the city centre – approximately 2.5 km. Regular public transport services.

14. Matīšu šoseja 5 (7.1 ha, land cover – meadow) – for economy and middle-class apartments. Water mains, sewerage and electricity; gas supply in the future.

Distance to the city centre – approximately 1.5 km.

Regular public transport services.

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Innovation & Knowledge Based Economy

Valmiera Business Incubator’s Success Stories “Wunderkraut Latvia”, Ltd., which has become a professional web services provider over the past few years, offers consulting, creates design, develops, maintains and supports solutions on the basis of the Drupal contents management system.

Developer of an E-book fast-reading tool for iPhone and iPad devices, “FastR”, Ltd., supported by VBII, has successfully attracted private investors for rapid further development of the enterprise.

Valmiera Business and Innovation Incubator (VBII) Valmiera Business and Innovation Incubator promotes the development of new and competitive enterprises and implementation of innovative business ideas. It is a multidisciplinary business incubator, where information communication technologies, tourism and creative industries are defined as priorities. In 2014 VBII supports 50 enterprises; however, the number of companies is constantly changing.

About 60 companies have completed the incubation period and are operating independently now.

Support intensity to new entrepreneurs for the services and consultations received: • in the frst year, from 55% to 85% • in the second, year from 35% to 60% • in the third year, from 15% to 40% • in the fourth year, to 10%

Creative industries are actively represented in VBII by “Valmieras kinostudija“, Ltd. (Valmiera Film Studio), which has established a small regional film studio and also produces theatre performances for different age groups.

“Epata Studio“, Ltd. is developing successfully by offering audio visual and design services, participating in intermedia projects, and actively developing an artwork rental concept.

The image of Valmiera City is also created by a company processing fiberglass: “De-Tris“, Ltd. manufactures high quality carbon fibre motorbike discs that are being tested by world-famous motorcycle racing teams, for example, KTM MX Team and JOHN TITMAN RACING. “Baltic Wildlife“, Ltd. offers Latvian wildlife tours; the services have received high acclaim in several international tourism exhibitions.

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Educated and Qualified Workforce in Valmiera Higher Education Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences trains specialists for the following sectors: • business administration • information technologies • engineering • communication and media • governance • tourism More info: www.va.lv Lifelong Learning The Lifelong Learning Centre of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences has been in operation since 2004. It offers language, lifelong learning and professional development courses under the professional guidance of the university teachers and sector professionals.

More info: www.vmc.va.lv Professional Secondary Education Valmiera Professional Secondary School offers educational programmes in the following fields: • hospitality services specialist • catering services specialist • food products technician • mechatronic systems technician • accountant • commercial tourism services specialist • retail commercial specialist • hotel services commercial services specialist • logistics services specialist

professional qualification category, while undergoing field practice in the company parallel with studies and receiving remuneration for work.

More info: www.vpvsk.lv

In cooperation with JCS “Valmieras stikla šķiedra” the school offers a dual education programme “Textile Production Technology and Product Manufacturing”, during which (for 1.5 years) it is possible to acquire a

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Valmiera – Investors’ Choice

Professional workforce – a key to success Investment in JSC “Valmieras stikla šķiedra” from 1996 to 2014 has been my biggest investment ever. Reasonably, many have asked – why did I choose to invest in Valmiera?

Because people in Valmiera are open and diligent, true professionals, who have helped JSC “Valmieras stikla šķiedra” to become one of the leading producers of glass fibre in Europe.

I am grateful to all citizens of Valmiera, employees of the Valmiera City Council and the Mayor personally for their effort and help in supporting one of the biggest investment projects in Latvia!

Jürgen Preiss-Daimler Owner P-D Group

It was a well-considered decision Our air separation plant in Valmiera was opened in 2007.

Before making our final decision in which place in Latvia to invest, we analysed several criteria such as the geographical position, the entrepreneurial activity and the environment.

Today we can say that it was a wise decision to open a plant in Valmiera, as it has facilitated the development of our business. We have managed to attract skilled labour force; we can satisfy the growing demand from our customers and put in practice an economically feasible delivery model!

Olavs Ķiecis A board member of “AGA” Ltd.

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Investor’s Guide 1. Valmiera City Council Lāčplēša iela 2, Valmiera, LV-4201, Latvia Phone: +371 6420 7120, E-mail: pasts@valmiera.lv www.valmiera.lv Utilities:

Other important contacts for investors:

2. “Valmieras ūdens” Ltd. (water supply, economic sewerage, heating supply services) Rūpniecības iela 50, Valmiera, LV-4201, Latvia Phone: +371 6422 6000, E-mail: valmieras.udens@valmierasudens.lv www.valmierasudens.lv

7. State Revenue Service Valmiera Customer Service Centre Beātes iela 49, Valmiera, LV-4201, Latvia Phone: +371 6420 7760, +371 6420 7768 E-mail: valmiera.lietvediba@vid.gov.lv www.vid.gov.lv

3. “ZAAO” Ltd. (waste management services) Rīgas iela 32, Valmiera, LV-4201, Latvia Phone: +371 6428 1250, +371 2651 5556 www.zaao.lv

8. State Employment Agency Valmiera Branch Meža iela 7, Valmiera, LV-4201, Latvia Phone: +371 6422 4241, E-mail: valmiera@nva.gov.lv www.nva.gov.lv

4. JSC “Latvenergo” (power generation) Valmiera Customer Service Centre Rīgas iela 26, Valmiera, LV-4201, Latvia Phone: +371 8020 0400 E-mail: info@latvenergo.lv www.latvenergo.lv 5. JSC “Latvijas Gāze” (gas supply) Valmiera stacija Lilijas iela 2, Valmiera, LV-4201, Latvia Phone: +371 6704 1604 E-mail: info@lg.lv www.lg.lv

9. Investment and Development Agency of Latvia Pērses iela 2, Riga, LV-1442, Latvia Phone: +371 6703 9400 E-mail: liaa@liaa.gov.lv www.liaa.gov.lv

6. State Environmental Service (environmental protection) Valmiera Regional Environmental Board L.Paegles iela 13, Valmiera, LV-4201, Latvia Phone: +371 6420 7266 www.vvd.gov.lv

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Urban Environment and Recreation Opportunities

12

Hot air balloon festival

Valmiera at night

Studies at the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences

Woodworking

Valmiera Primary School

Metal processing enterprise “Valpro� Ltd.

Shopping centre "Valleta"

Bridge over the Gauja River

Valmiera Old Town

Vidzeme Olympic Centre Stadium

Valmiera Drama Theatre and St. Simon’s Church

Valmiera State Secondary School

Contact Information: Valmiera City Council Lāčplēša iela 2, Valmiera, LV- 4201, Latvia Phone: +371 6420 7120 Fax: +371 6420 7125 E-mail: pasts@valmiera.lv Official website: www.valmiera.lv

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

www.norwaygrants.org

www.varam.gov.lv