Rezekne SEZ svin 20 years of anniversary and gives awards to successful commercial companies
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On 7 and 8 September 2017, the 20 th anniversary of the Rēzekne Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was held “Rezekne SEZ - with a view in the future”. It provides “annual company” awards for seven successful Rēzekne SEZ commercial companies, as well as business discussions on prospects for the future development of the special economic zone.
The special economic zone of Rezekne was founded in 1997 due to the initiative and determination of local entrepreneurs. Over the years, the Rezekne SEZ has changed both its territory and the form of governance, but the main objective of its activity is to provide support to entrepreneurs and to attract investments to the area. Currently, Rezekne SEZ combines 18 companies of Rezekne and Rezekne, which employ 852 workers.
The Rēzekne SEZ manager Sandra Ejthe said in his speech: “If Rezekne SEZ is compared with human life, Rezekne SEZ has reached the stage of youth with his 20 years when the lessons are continued, while using all the knowledge acquired in the practice”.
On September 7, the celebration event at Latgale Embassy “GORS” was awarded the winners of “Rēzekne SEZ Commercial Companies Annual Prize 2016”. In the context of the competition, companies were evaluated in 10 nominations based on their performance indicators in 2016. In the group of small commercial companies, the companies “Energy Resources CHP” RSEZ SIA (3 rd place), RSEZ SIA “LATSTAB” (2 nd place), RSEZ SIA “IRBIS Technology” (1 st place) and “Rezekne Dzirnavnieks” RSEZ AS (1 st place) became winners. On the other hand, the company “NewFuels” RSEZ SIA (3 rd place), “VEREMS” RSEZ SIA (2 nd place), SIA “LEAX Rezekne” RSEZ (1 st place) was awarded the Award/Large Commercial Companies group. In the course of the evening, the event guests were pleased by the Austrian musician, the Hammond Orthodox Virgin Rafael Vressnig, who played with Rēzekne bigbende, as well as the Rēzekne province's vocal studio “Skonai”.
On the second day of the event, on September 8, the Eastern Latvian creative service centre “Zeimuļs”, with the participation of entrepreneurs, representatives of state and local government and co-operation partners of Rezekne SEZ, took place in business discussions. They discussed the opportunities offered by Rēzekne City, Rezekne municipality and Rezekne SEZ to entrepreneurs, available State aid instruments for promoting entrepreneurship, as well as prospects for the future development of free areas.
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Regarding the special economic zone of Rezekne:
Rezekne SEZ was established in 1997 on the basis of “Rēzekne Special Economic Zone Act”. This Law prescribes the procedures for the administration and utilisation of Rezekne SEZ, requirements for the performance of commercial activities and investments, as well as the functions and tasks of the Rēzekne SEZ administration.
The Law on the Application of Taxes in Free Ports and Special Economic Zones is laid down in the Law on the Application of Tax Facilities in Free Ports and Special Economic Zones. Capital companies registered in Rezekne SEZ may receive both direct tax discounts (real estate tax, corporate tax) and indirect tax relief, forming free zones in THE territory OF THE RSEZ, as well as making investments. Tax relief for Rezekne SEZ will be applicable until 31 December 2035.
The total area of Rezekne SEZ is 1155 ha, which includes the administrative territory OF the municipality of Rezekne and Rezekne, Vērēmu, Griškānu and Ozolaines parish. With the status of Rezekne SEZ, 18 commercial companies are active in early 2017.
More information on Rezekne SEZ is available on the website: www.rsez.lv.
Prepared by: Baiba Baltace-Saukane,
Rēzekne SEZ Management External Relations Organizer
Phone (+371)28633550, e-mail address: baiba.baltace@rsez.lv