2009

A record number of forest roads constructed

In 2008, AS Latvijas valsts meži (LVM) constructed and commissioned 716 km of forest roads. Such a considerable amount has never been accomplished in one year’s time, not just during the operation of LVM, but also over the whole period of existence of the State of Latvia.

High-quality and durable roads are a major precondition for predictable and regular flow of timber, thus contributing to the competition of the Latvian wood sector in the world.

So far at times when market situation has been favourable, and the company has gained profits from economic operations, the company’s managers have passed fundamental decisions – to invest in the development of forest infrastructure. At times when market situation was not favourable concerning investments, it was required to pay additional attention to careful maintenance of forest roads and daily maintenance work. By correctly planning and performing daily maintenance works, we are able to substantially extend the time of service of forest roads.

In 2008, LVM contracted 62 companies, which jointly carried out 270 contracts on the construction or reconstruction of forest infrastructure objects (roads, bridges, melioration systems etc.). Thanks to the cooperation with LVM, a number of these companies have entered the list of the newspaper Dienas Bizness as fast-growing companies or the List of gazelles. E.g. SIA Palsams ranked 7 in the Kurzeme region, SIA Liepas Z ranked 18 in the Latgale region, whereas SIA VIA Mežs and SIA Sorma – correspondingly ranked 16 and 19 in the Vidzeme region.

In early 2009, the company compiled the register of forest roads, which included 9,738 km of forest roads.