Philippines foresees stronger trade ties with Latvia

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippines, including Cebu expects to strengthen its trade partnership with the Republic of Latvia following the opening of a consulate office in Cebu.

 Latvia Consul General to the Philippines Robert Lim Joseph said both governments have the mutual interest in scientific, cultural and touristic diplomatic cooperation.

Cebu, he said is one of the cities that needs to be given attention to, the reason why the consulate office in Manila led by Joseph recently appointed Cebuano businessman Frederick Go, the president of Robinsons Land Inc., as Honorary Consul.

Latvia is the central country of the Baltic States, located in north-eastern Europe on the east coast of the Baltic Sea.

Latvia is considering to make its labor market more accessible to third-country nationals, it's becoming increasingly evident that the country lacks even employees viewed as low-skilled.

There are about 2,500 truck drivers employed in Latvia, and a hundred of them come from the Philippines with many others from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

 According to Joseph there is a growing number of inquiries for trade partnership, employment such as truck drivers, wood products, among others.

Reportedly, the Economics Ministry plans to ease access to Latvia's labor market by loosening requirements for some third-country nationals seeking employment in the country.

 It is hoped the plan would attract about 600 more employees to the country each year.

 Latvia exports mainly wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, iron and steel, textiles and foodstuffs. Latvia's main export partners are Lithuania, Russia, Estonia, Germany and Sweden.