Latvian - U.S. Cooperation Continues with “Industry Days” [06 Aug 2010]

On September 14 – 15, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Latvia, will hold “Industry Days,” during which the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) will inform Latvia’s manufacturers about opportunities to participate in DLA tenders. After the presentations, Latvian businesses in relevant sectors will meet one-on-one with representatives of DLA and U.S. government prime contractors. DLA participates in such events with the goal of introducing manufacturers and other businesses of

particular countries to the requirements and procedures for tenders designed to meet U.S. military needs.

In addition to the military cooperation in Afghanistan, where Latvian soldiers and U.S. Michigan National Guard soldiers mentor and train Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers, Latvia and the U.S. have developed a highly successful non-military freight transit network to Afghanistan. Non-military freight transit through Latvia’s harbors and rail network contributes not only the successful sustainment of international operations in Afghanistan but to the improvement of Latvia’s overall economic development.

The first train with the non-military freight for the U.S. armed forces was sent in February 2009. During the first six months of 2010, the amount of non-military freight delivered to Afghanistan exceeded 9,400 containers, over twice as many as during all of 2009. An additional 7,000 containers are planned or are en route to Afghanistan.

More information about “Industry Days” and how to apply will follow in Mid-August.