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On June 19, Jurģis Miezainis, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Latvia, visited Hamburg with a delegation of entrepreneurs to take part in several key events aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between Latvia and Northern Germany. The visit included the signing of a trilateral cooperation memorandum and meetings focused on energy, digitalization, and the development and testing of autonomous regulatory environments for self-driving vehicles. Mr. Miezainis also addressed members of Hamburg’s political and business elite.
Key Event: Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
The central event of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU was signed by telecommunications and technology company LMT, the Freeport of Riga, the Port of Hamburg, the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (SIA "Elektroniskie sakari"), Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), and LVR Flote, with the participation of Parliamentary Secretary Jurģis Miezainis and Hamburg’s Senator for Innovation and Economic Affairs, Melanie Leonhard.
“The Port of Hamburg is a European leader in logistics and innovation. This memorandum confirms that Latvia and Germany share a common vision — one of smart, sustainable, and secure ports,” said Jurģis Miezainis. “Today, we’re not just talking about cooperation — we’re defining it with concrete projects. This creates a clear platform for Latvian companies to demonstrate their digital capabilities internationally.”
Energy Cooperation and Green Technologies
To strengthen ties in the energy sector, Mr. Miezainis met with leaders of Hamburg’s Renewable Energy Cluster to discuss Latvia’s potential involvement in wind energy component manufacturing and the development of future hydrogen technologies. These areas are strategically important for increasing Latvia’s export capacity and integrating into the European Green Deal value chains.
Smart Mobility and 5G Innovation
During the visit, the delegation explored Hamburg’s autonomous mobility project “ALIKE,” identifying collaboration opportunities with Latvian developers of 5G and IoT solutions. Latvia currently offers one of the fastest and most stable high-capacity networks in Europe, providing a strong base for industrial-level mobility testing and implementation.
Address to Hamburg’s Business Community
Mr. Miezainis delivered a speech at the prestigious Übersee-Club, Hamburg’s leading business, political, and academic forum founded in 1922. The club has deep ties to Hamburg’s legacy as a city of international trade and innovation.
In his address, the Parliamentary Secretary highlighted the importance of strengthening Europe’s economic resilience, building trusted supply chains, and reaffirmed Latvia’s contribution to security — both as a NATO member and as an upcoming non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2026–2027).
He also emphasized Latvia’s growing role in digital transformation and sustainable development, noting a significant rise in foreign investment in sectors such as ICT, bioeconomy, and green energy. The Latvian government, he stated, is committed to supporting innovation, export competitiveness, and a favorable business environment.
Delegation and Strategic Context
The Latvian delegation included representatives from LMT, the Freeport of Riga, LVR Flote, the State Radio and Television Centre, the Latvian IT Cluster, Aerones, Techritory, Riga Bulk Terminal, and others, who actively participated in cooperation forums, showcased their innovations, and engaged in networking with Hamburg partners.
This visit is part of broader preparations for Latvia’s upcoming role as Partner Country at the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Business Forum in autumn 2025 — positioning Hamburg as a key stage in advancing concrete collaborative projects.
