27 Partners institutions from 15 European regions met in Brussels to strengthen their collaboration of regional economies.

On March 15 Political representatives from the North Sea and Baltic Sea regions met in Brussels at the first Political Advisory Group Meeting of the inter-regional projects Baltic Supply and North Sea Supply Connect. The objective of these European projects is to increase the competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses in the Northeastern European Corridor.

95% of the regional economies of both the North Sea region and the Baltic region consist of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Opportunities to strengthen this sector lie mainly in utilization of the innovative capacity of the SMEs. Moreover if the SMEs gain better access to the European market, large manufacturers will also be able to benefit from the economic potential that the SMEs have to offer. 

Both projects aim to improve access to supply chain of large manufacturers by facilitating SMEs' participation in tendering procedures.

To support that goal, the projects today installed a Political Advisory Group, whose members are high ranking regional politicians and policy makers who represent the interests of their regional economies. They will implement the findings an tools on the projects in their regions and facilitate regional development measures to be adapted to support improved market access.

The unique partnership between the two projects extends to the installation of a joint advisory body. The projects will run til the 2013, during this time the Political Advisory Group will meet at least twice again.

By then, the 15 regions projects will have established a Business Development Platform to serve as a hub for the Northeastern European SMEs and Original Equipment Manufacturers. Participants on behalf of Latvia are the Ventspils High Technology Park, the University of Latvia and Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

More information:

Salvis Roga
Ventspils High Technology Park
Tel.: +371 2 8663400
E-mail: salvis [dot] roga [at] vatp [dot] lv
www.vatp.lv
www.balticsupply.eu