On Friday, 12 June, the industrial park of the Eastern Latvia Center of Smart Technologies and Research ALTOP was officially opened. It is the only industrial park of national significance in Latgale, developed with the aim of promoting the region’s economic growth by providing modern and functional business premises with convenient logistics.
At the opening ceremony of ALTOP, a red ribbon was symbolically cut, marking the next stage in the development of the industrial park. Presenting the importance of the project for the region’s business environment and the opportunities it offers to investors, Andrejs Elksniņš, Chairman of Daugavpils City Council, emphasised:
“New jobs are essential for Daugavpils and the whole of Latgale, and this project is a good example of how high-quality infrastructure and modern premises can create an environment that attracts investors and supports the growth of local businesses. As entrepreneurship develops, new jobs are created. Projects like this are needed in Latgale on a much larger scale – not just one, but at least ten. Of course, attracting investors is currently a challenge, taking into account the geopolitical situation and the specific circumstances of the border region. However, this project proves that if there is a high-quality, well-considered offer and clear investment conditions, investors are ready to come in – both with the support of ALTUM and through other financial instruments – creating new jobs and strengthening the region’s economy.”
During the event, the first tenants of the industrial park were also welcomed. On 23 April, Daugavpils City Council approved the results of the lease auction, granting SIA “Endline” the right to lease Unit No. 1 for 30 years, while SIA “MAGISTR” was granted the right to lease Unit No. 3 for 15 years. Both companies will develop and expand their production capacities at the site.
A repeated lease rights auction will be announced for Unit No. 2 – a part of the building with a total non-residential area of 3,485.8 m², corresponding to the second stage of the project.
At the opening ceremony, Iveta Maļina-Tabūne, Head of the Latgale Planning Region Administration and Latgale Special Economic Zone, emphasised that active work on the development of industrial territories in Latgale has been ongoing since 2012. She noted that when an investor needs to develop production, they cannot wait; therefore, it is important that such parks are being developed in the region – with a defined level of quality, energy efficiency, and appropriate industrial parameters.
“We are very pleased that two serious companies will soon start operating at ALTOP, creating new jobs and increasing their production capacity. However, the work does not stop here – we must move forward and continue developing this territory,” said I. Maļina-Tabūne.
The industrial park of the East Latvia Smart Technology and Research Centre “ALTOP” is located at Lidostas iela 4, Lociki, Naujene Parish, Augšdaugava Municipality. It is one of the most modern industrial parks in Latvia and is particularly focused on the development of smart technologies.
The project “Establishment of the Industrial Park of the East Latvia Smart Technology and Research Centre (ALTOP)” was implemented with EUR 17.1 million in funding from the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility. Construction was carried out by Daugavpils City Municipality in cooperation with Augšdaugava Municipality and SIA “Naujenes pakalpojumu serviss”.
During the construction process, special attention was paid to sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, ensuring that the development of the industrial park would have the lowest possible impact on the surrounding environment. The building is made of sandwich panel structures with high thermal resistance, LED lighting with motion sensors and smart control, as well as roof structures suitable for the installation of solar panels.
The new industrial park offers more than 11,000 square metres of production and logistics premises, divided into three equal blocks. Each block has a separate heating system, as well as a complex of production and office premises with rest areas, changing rooms, showers, and sanitary facilities.
The territory includes landscaped areas, underground water reservoirs for fire safety, a diesel generator, three electric vehicle charging stations, and a car park of more than 14,000 m². A new access road with pavements and modern lighting leads to the industrial park. The use of local materials during construction reduced transport distances and CO₂ emissions, while also providing a direct contribution to the regional economy.
ALTOP Industrial Park is a significant investment in strengthening Latgale’s economy. It provides modern infrastructure suitable for companies from various sectors and creates the preconditions for new export-oriented and high added-value jobs.
Companies operating in the premises of ALTOP Industrial Park will also have the opportunity to benefit from the advantages offered by the Latgale Special Economic Zone. Latgale SEZ provides significant tax incentives and investment support, including up to an 80% corporate income tax rebate and up to a 100% real estate tax rebate, as well as support for investments in production buildings, equipment, technologies, and the creation of new jobs. These conditions reduce investment costs and increase the competitiveness of companies, making ALTOP Industrial Park an even more attractive location for the development of new projects and for the economic growth of the region.
Source of information: Daugavpils City Municipality
Video and photo author: Daugavpils City Municipality
