Technical Industrial Small Companies Network for Sustainable Growth, Sweden - Latvia Part 1

Background

The development of Latvian companies towards an environmentally friendly production is expected to have started when Latvia joins the EU. To meet markets demands and start business with Sweden and other countries within EU environment and quality management systems are needed to be built up in Latvia according to International Standards.

Aim of the project

The aim of the project is to create cross-business networks of Swedish and Latvian export oriented small and medium sized enterprises. Through these networks, the participating companies will be able to create business opportunities, and identify and coordinate knowledge gaps in order to implement environment and quality management systems (ISO 9000 and ISO 14001). In addition, the companies will get the opportunity to gain knowledge on how to develop and improve work safety and work environment.

Targets

  • Initiate 5-10 cross-business networks of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME). 6-8 companies from Sweden and Latvia should participate in each network.
  • In each network, at least 2 business contacts should have been created at the end of the project.

Activities and time plan

The project runs from August 2002 to December 2003. It includes the following main activities:

  • A market analysis will be done, to serve as a basis for choosing participants for the project. This will be done in cooperation with the Baltic 21 Institute.
  • At seminars, analyses of participating companies present situation (adopted to International Standards) will be conducted.
  • Cross-business networks of small and medium sized enterprises will be initiated. When business relations have been established, the participating companies will use the “Vallentuna Model” to reach consensus regarding environmental and work safety issues.

Results

  • Business networks have been established in Latvia as well as in Sweden
  • Intensified contacts have been initiated between/within the business networks towards the end of the project and will probably result in business contracts within 1-3 years.
  • A few business contacts have been made within the project time but have not resulted in any contracts yet.
  • 16 Latvian Small and Medium sized Enterprises have during 2003 started their education in International Quality and Management systems according to the Vallentuna model at Zygon Baltic Consulting. Implementation will take place during 2004.

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