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On Friday, 9 January 2026, during a regional working visit to Valmiera, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže met with Jānis Baiks, Chairman of the Local Government Council of Valmiera Municipality, and local government representatives to discuss the economic cooperation of the municipality and the involvement of the local government in international cooperation and development projects, regional development, foreign service support instruments available to entrepreneurs, the next EU multiannual budget, attraction of EU funds and promotion of foreign trade, including today’s decision to approve the signing of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, as well as opportunities for entrepreneurs to participate in international tenders and procurements.
At Valmiera Pārgauja State Gymnasium, B. Braže, together with the school management, students, and the Student Council discussed current foreign policy issues, the security situation, motivation to join the national defence service, social media usage habits and media literacy, the opportunities for involvement, careers in the foreign service, and other topics.
The Minister visited Valpro, one of the largest and oldest metal processing companies in Latvia, which employs 300 people in the region. B. Braže also visited one of Europe’s leading glass fibre manufacturers with more than 60 years of experience, Valmiera Glass, which employs more than 1300 people.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže:
“It is a privilege to visit today such powerful and innovative Latvian businesses, which are major employers on a national scale and whose products are highly valued in many parts of the world.
Valpro manufactures products for both the civil and military sectors and exports them to more than 38 countries around the world.
Valmiera Glass, which is the largest employer in Valmiera, exports more than 96.8% of its production, with Western Europe as its main market. Together with the company’s management, we discussed potential export opportunities in South American markets, which is one of the company’s strategic directions, particularly in the context of today’s decision to approve the signing of the EU-Mercosur agreement."
Valmiera is the industrial centre of Vidzeme with a strong manufacturing base. It ranks second behind Rīga in terms of GDP per capita, which is EUR 28 000. Production and export volumes in Valmiera is also twice the national average. B. Braže highlighted the current active work of the foreign service and that it would continue to use the instruments at its disposal to represent Latvia’s economic interests, with supporting entrepreneurs in increasing their visibility, entering foreign markets, and attracting foreign investment and partners remaining among its key priorities.
The Foreign Minister also gave interviews to regional media Liesma, Re:TV, and Valmieras Ziņas.
On 10 January, the Minister will visit the SOS children’s village located in Valmiera.