Nature & cultural heritage

Region's coastal area is an important wilderness territory within the Baltic Sea region and Europe. Large forests with diverse and high-quality landscapes on the coast and inland (dunes, steep banks, lagoon lakes, river valleys, ancient villages). More than 200 lakes and rivers. Abundant and good quality water and land resources.

Economic profile

Region occupies 21% of the territory of Latvia. Unemployment rate is low – 4%. The average gross monthly salary of employees are 922 EUR. In terms of added value by sector, the largest value share in Kurzeme consists of manufacturing (16.18%), real estate activities (13.09%) and transportation and storage (12.53%).

Education

Region has 2 higher education institutions and 6 vocational education institutions. Educational specialties: electronics, energy, IT, metalworking, mechatronics, engineering mechanics, car mechanics, construction, safety, road transport, services, catering, wood products, tourism, humanities and arts, pedagogy, management and social sciences.

Foreign investors

Investors operating in Kurzeme for a long time highly appreciate it's benefits. Investors come from various countries: Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Russia, Iceland, Estonia and Lithuania. More than half of the surveyed investors – 30, plan to significantly increase their investments in Latvia.

Informative support

Region provides a widespread informative support to entrepreneurs by national and regional level institutions: Kurzeme Planning Region Business Center, Business Incubators, State Employment Agency, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Latvian Rural Advisory and Education Center, as well as Rural Support Service.

Human capital

Economically active population is competitive on a regional and global scale with quality education and extensive work experience, in rapidly changing socio-political and economic conditions. The workforce consists of qualified, geographically mobile, innovative, flexible, knowledgeable, creative, responsible and reliable people with a high work culture.

Geopolitical location

Region's geopolitical location in the western part of the country, on the Baltic Sea coast and in the east-west transport corridor is strategically important as the border area of the Baltic Sea region. In the Latvian context – an open sea region with a parallel railway and road connection, ports with ferries and potential air transport development.

Infrastructure

Region is crossed by two transport corridors – Southern and Northern, with the country's main roads, railways, ports and airports in Liepaja and Ventspils. There are 110 kV and 330 kV power lines, natural gas pipeline, Polotsk-Ventspils oil pipeline and a high-quality internet and mobile communications, widely covering the territory.