VALMIERA: THE PLACE TO BE

LOCATION:

• 100 km to capital Riga

• Easy access to neighbouring

countries

• Rail and road communications

with regional cities and the capital

• Founded in 1283

• Population: 25 000 (Jan 2016); about 10 000 people commute to Valmiera on a daily basis

• Area: 19,35 km2

• Since 2009 Valmiera is designated as a city of national significance (special city)

KEY FACTS ABOUT VALMIERA

• The main administrative, business, industrial, cultural, educational and sports centre in

Northern Latvia

• Home of key exporting industries (chemical, textile, food, metal processing) and fast growing venture businesses (IT)

• A growing network of partner cities in Europe (Estonia, Nordic Countries, Germany, Poland, Italy, Croatia, Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan)

• Point of connection and a destination linking Riga and the towns in Estonia (rail and road)

MAIN ADVANTAGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Member of Gauja National Park Tourism Cluster – the largest tourism Cluster in the Baltics

• Located 120 km from Riga airport: a potential hub for businesses and Estonia bound travelers using Riga airport for transit

• Member of historical Hanseatic League of trading cities across Baltic Sea region

• Gauja region which includes Valmiera is selected as European gastronomy region 2017

• Advanced infrastructure, dynamic business environment

MAIN ADVANTAGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Available land and territories for Construction and Area development projects

• A broad range of outdoor recreation activities at any season

• Special offers for conference travel and quality spa services

• Opportunities to develop local accommodation facilities in business

segment because of growing demand

MAIN ADVANTAGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Most working places (935) in Vidzeme region per 1000 inhabitants

• Inhabitant’s capacity of work – 64% in working age (2015)

• Unemployment rate – average per month 5,5% - 6% (March, 2017)

MAIN ADVANTAGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY (EMPLOYMENT %)

Industry 22%

state/municipal 21%

trade 17%

services 13%

construction 8%

health care 7%

other areas 12%

• JSC Valmiera Glass (121.19 million EUR; chemical & textile industry)

• Cooperative VAKS (61.31 million EUR; agriculture)

• JSC Valmieras piens/ Food Union (41.7 million EUR; food production)

• VALPRO, LTD (12.57 million EUR; metal processing and products)

• Cooperative “MĀRŠAVA” (11.59 million EUR; agriculture)

TOP 5 COMPANIES BY TURNOVER & TOP EXPORTERS (2015)

Professional workforce – a key to success Investment in JSC “Valmiera Glass” from 1996 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 “Valmiera Glass” 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.

The largest foreign investors (by country):

1. Germany – EUR 31.03 M (invested in 9 companies)

2. Sweden – EUR 6.62 M (invested in 15 companies)

3. Russian Federation – EUR 3.54 M (invested in 16 companies)

4. Estonia – EUR 0.49 M (invested in 32 companies)

5. Republic of Seychelle – EUR 0.05 M (invested in 2 companies)

Total amount of foreign direct investments – EUR 39 933 643.82

The largest foreign investors (by company):

1. Vitrulan International GmbH (Germany) – EUR 12.11 M (JSC “Valmiera Glass” – Textile & chemical industry)

2. P-D Glasseiden GmbH Oschatz (Germany) – EUR 8.73 M (JSC “Valmiera Glass”– Textile & chemical industry)

3. P-D Management Industries-Technologies Gmbh (Germany) – EUR 8 M (JSC “Valmiera Glass” – Textile & chemical industry)

4. Livland Skog AB (Sweden) – EUR 4.11 M (“Sundin Mežs” Ltd. – Forestry, silviculture)

5. Preiss-Damler Beatrix (Germany) – EUR 1.71 M (“V.L.T.” Ltd. – Paper and cardboard production)

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT On 26 October, 2016

• Territory with respectable infrastructure

• Region’s competitiveness

• Production with high added value

• Stimulate knowledge-based entrepreneurship

• City development, welfare of residents

VALMIERA INDUSTRIAL PARK

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 pasts@valmiera.lv

TAX RELIEF FOR INVESTORS

• Operates since year 2007

• Since 2010 in new building

• Over 150 incubated businesses

• Main priorities: Information communication technologies, tourism and creative industries

• Since 2016 operated by Latvian Investment and Development Agency

VALMIERA BUSINESS INCUBATOR

HIGHER EDUCATION Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences provide specialists for the following sectors: • business administration • information technologies • engineering • communication and media • governance • Tourism

College level, Undergraduate, Graduate, Post-graduate

KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER (ZTC)

ZTC aims to transfer university intellectual potential, technologies and innovation to the economics and to promote access to lifelong learning in the Vidzeme region. ZTC offers support for entrepreneurs, consultation for individuals, lifelong learning as well as maintains a cooperation in the region between various institutions.

VALMIERA VOCATIONAL TRAINING COMPETENCE CENTER Offers educational programmes in the following fields: • hospitality services specialist • catering services specialist • food products technician • accountant • retail commercial specialist • logistics services specialist • cook • mechatronic systems technician • And others…

EDUCATED AND QUALIFIED WORKFORCE

• 8 kindergartens

• 2 primary schools

• 1 gymnasium

• 5 secondary schools (including special

education for disabled

children)

• 1 state gymnasium

• Valmiera Vocational school (offering

workplace based education)

• Valmiera Arts secondary school

• Valmiera Music school

• Valmiera Sports school

FACILITIES

• Valmiera Drama Theatre – one of the main theatres in Latvia (60 000 visitors annually)

• Valmiera Culture centre – more than 60 000 visitors annually

• Valmiera Museum – more than 90 000 visitors annually

• Valmiera Concert Hall - recently restored in historical building

FACILITIES

• Vidzeme Olympic Centre Multifunctional hall, including an ice hockey hall, up to 2000 seats Home for major international, national and regional events A regular training facility for local and foreign pro athletes; International and local training camps (Hockey, Floorball, Basketball, Handball, Tennis – Davis

cup a.o.) Development of new swimming pool, in line with all International Standarts; Reconstruction of J.Dalina stadium and development of track and field athletics stadium.

• Golf centre in «Avoti» (Burtnieku district, adjacent district), appropriate for International

championships

FACILITIES

• Vidzeme Regional Hospital

Values: highly qualified personell, satisfied and healthy patient, safe environment

Complete range of medical services

Medical centre of national importance and capacity

Over 200 beds

Medical emergency available 24/7

FACILITIES

• International Winter Music festival (January) • Modern Dance Festival (March) • Spring Solstice Festival (March) • Art days (April-May), aiming at 2000 visitors • Film and biking Festival «Kinopedālis» • «Vidzeme Entrepreneur’s Days» - annual meeting place for Vidzeme region

entrepreneurs (over 200 businesses and over 3000 visitors - conference and fair)

ATTRACTIONS AND EVENTS

• Museum Night (May), over 7000 visitors

• Valmiera Summer Theatre Festival (July/August) –open-air performances, film screenings, events for children, over 5000 visitors

• Valmiera Annual City Festival – attracts businesses and visitors of the region and neigbouring countries, aiming at 15 000 – 20 000 visitors

ATTRACTIONS AND EVENTS

• Riga – Valmiera Run (April)

• SEB MTB marathon (April)

• Annual SPORTLAT Valmiera Marathon (September)

• Latvija IV Olympiad (July, 2016)

• Latvia Youth Summer Olympiad (July, 2015)

ATTRACTIONS AND EVENTS

• Estonia + 66,7%

• Finland + 117,4%

• Netherlands + 71,4%

• Germany + 17,6%

VISITS OF FOREIGN RESIDENTS 2015 COMPARED TO 2014

1. Valmiera City Council Lāčplēša iela 2, Valmiera, LV-4201, Latvia Phone: +371 6420 7120, E-mail: pasts@valmiera.lv www.valmiera.lv Utilities: 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 3. “ZAAO” Ltd. (waste management services) Rīgas iela 32, Valmiera, LV-4201, Latvia Phone: +371 6428 1250, +371 2651 5556 www.zaao.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 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

Other important contacts for investors: Valmiera Development Agency Mrs Elīna Leimane Business Development Coordinator Phone: +371 20 216 997 elina.leimane@valmiera.lv www.valmiera.lv/en/ 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 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 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 10. LIAA Business Incubator in Valmiera Purva iela 12A, Valmiera, LV-4201 +371 29785830 E-mail: janis.klavins@liaa.gov.lv www.liaa.gov.lv

YOU ARE MOST WELCOME IN VALMIERA!