Preamble
Significant changes had taken place in the Baltic transit sector by 2006. In the wake of the European Union enlargement and changes in the transport policy of Russia, all the companies involved in the transit sector were facing the same problems: major foreign operators had emerged on the market, regardless of EU directives, attempts to monopolize the market of transport services by Baltic state-owned companies were becoming apparent, the EU was not paying enough attention to problems and the potential of certain member states, and only lobbying for interests of entire regions could make Brussels bureaucrats react to problems and needs of certain companies.
In December 2006, a group of Latvia’s largest transit companies established a new non-governmental organization, the Baltic Association of Transport and Logistics. At this time, the Association has ten members, the largest stevedoring and forwarding companies of Latvia. Talks are under with several companies that also want to join the Association.
CURRENT ACTIVITY
The Association unites companies that work in the Baltic Sea region’s transit and freight transportation sector (transport and infrastructure companies, forwarders, stevedores, agent and shipping companies, transport education establishments and service companies). The goals of BATL include support for member companies’ operations, organizing activities that support these companies’ interests and development plans in dealing with municipal, national, European institutions at all levels. The Association acts in the interest of all of its members as well as uses its authority to support individual members of the organization
BATL MISSION:
1. Participation in the work on and passing of tariff policy and legislation that deal with the transit sector. Participation in the work of the Latvian Port Council, Associations’ Cooperation Council, Latvian Customs Consultancy Council (starting from April), cooperation with other professional associations. The goal is to inform the members of the Association about upcoming changes, avert possible negative amendments to the law and the tariff policy, support for the Association members’ proposals at all levels. Work with government and municipal institutions is continuing all the time.
2. Defining Latvian transit sector’s problems for the development of a strategy for the Association and strategic goals for the sector’s development in Latvia in the medium term.
The main principles for the work of BATL during the 2009
1. The Association begins participating in the work of government and ministries’ consultancy councils
2.Prepares an assessment of and strategies for the development of the Latvian transit sector as a whole
3. Raises the number of the Association’s members
4. Organizes and holds events aimed at the development of the Association member’s business |
