Forest Industry Business Park

"Jekabpils Forest Industry Business Park" Phare Project, will be run by Jekabpils City Council in co-operation with Latvian Forest Industry Federation and Ventspils City Council. The overall objective is to increase the competitiveness of companies related to forest industries by creating an effective enterprise cluster based on knowledge-intensive production and higher valueadded outputs.

Being in the crossroads of the major Latvian timber log transport routes and having a traditional forestry sector, as well as the experience in studying the development potential of Jekabpils forestry industry, Jekabpils has found the way to use these advantages to ensure sustainable development of the city and Latvian wood sector.

As a result, there will be two regional project establishments: Jekabpils Forest Industry Business Park in Jekabpils and Kurzeme Wood Processing Competence Centre in Ventspils that will provide space and premises for producers. Industrial space available for tenants in the park will be more than 7000 m² and office premises for administration and management of cluster joining companies - almost 200 m², and in Kurzeme WPCC - more than 2000 m² and 200 m² respectively.

Also establishment of Forest Knowledge Centre (FKC) in cooperation with Latvian University of Agriculture is envisaged, which will play an important role in problem management within the industry, as well as in information and education. It will consist of centers for Information, Technology, Project Development and Education. The two business parks will receive problem solutions from it, as well as they will collect data on industry and market, in exchange information from FKC accumulated database as well as the Centre will develop educational programs.

The total cost of the project is over 6 million EUR and 69% is financed by the Phare. The project will last till September 9, 2004. After that the three project establishments will continue to develop and look for new investments.