The President of Latvia paid a working visit to Banga Ltd, one of the leading Latvian producers of canned fish
Today, on 24 October, the President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs paid a regional working visit to Banga Ltd, a local Latvian fish industry company. Together with the Chairman of the Talsi Regional Council Eva Kārkliņa, the owners of Banga Ltd Raivis and Ingus Veckāgani the President of Latvia got acquainted with the activities of the company, its technological solutions, future plans and investments, and also discussed a number of topical issues for the fish industry.
This morning at 11:00 the President was welcomed at the Banga Ltd production plant, after which the owners of the company introduced the President to the production facilities, the more than 150 employees of the company and organised a product tasting.
During the visit, representatives of the company talked about Banga Ltd investment and potential digitisation projects and also demonstrated the latest technological equipment at the facility. After the tour, representatives of the company had the opportunity to discuss with the President the most pressing current issues and challenges in the fish industry sector requiring state support. “There are three big issues not only for us but for the entire fishing industry at the moment – expanding export markets, reducing catches of sprat and herring in the Baltic Sea, attracting and retaining local labour”, says Raivis Veckāgans, co-owner of Banga Ltd.
“Banga Ltd currently exports its products to more than 35 countries, including the Baltics, parts of Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. We discussed with Mr. Rinkēvičs how and whether market opportunities could be expanded with the participation of the state, and whether exports could be possible to South American countries, for example. Employment of local labour remains an issue in all sectors, so we talked about potential support from the Ministry of Economy and others in attracting and retaining workers, not only in the short term, but also in the long term. We updated on the reduction of fishing limits, which is a key issue for the long-term development of the fishing industry. We are making the most of the available state support instruments, EU funds, including the European Regional Development Fund’s programme for international competitiveness, which we hope will reopen soon,” says R. Veckāgans.
About Banga Ltd
Banga Ltd is a Latvian fish product manufacturing company located in Roja, Talsi Region. The company produces various types of canned fish – salmon, mackerel, sprats, herring, mussels and other products. The company sells in more than 35 countries in Europe, America, Asia and other markets.
More information:
Evija Imuna – Velde