Representatives of the Ķekava region municipality and the Riga planning region visited SIA “TSC MOTORS” on July 28 to congratulate the company on the funding awarded under the remigration business support program “Returning to Ķekava region” for the creation of a new workplace.
During the meeting, representatives of the municipality also met with remigrant Ralfs Malzubris, who has returned to Latvia after several years spent in New Zealand. The visit was attended by Deputy Chairman of the City Council for Development Affairs Aigars Vītols, Riga Planning Region Remigration Coordinator Daina Šulca, and Ķekava municipality business support and project manager Inese Bička.
The delegation was received by “TSC MOTORS” board member Aija Jurģele and the company’s new employee – remigrant Ralfs Malzubris. Back from New Zealand to Latvia Ralfs moved to New Zealand with his family in 2016. The family returned to Latvia a year and a half ago, while Ralfs himself returned to his homeland two months ago. In New Zealand, he received an education in metalworking at the New Zealand vocational education center Wintec Trades Academy, as well as internships at several manufacturing companies, gaining practical experience that he will now use at work in Latvia.
Upon returning to Latvia, Ralfs has joined the “TSC MOTORS” team, where he can use the knowledge and professional experience gained in New Zealand. The company continues to develop the recreation area The company “TSC MOTORS” has been operating for 29 years. In recent years, from a car service provider, the company has developed an almost three-hectare area in Baldone parish, creating a multifunctional recreation and event space.
During the visit, representatives of the municipality viewed the company's developed area, where fishing opportunities are available, horseback riding is organized in cooperation with the neighboring horse stable, a canopy with an outdoor kitchen has been created, places for campers and trailers, as well as recreation opportunities on SUP boards.
In the near future, the territory will also be supplemented by a sauna. The newly created workplace will allow the company to take more active care of the maintenance and improvement of the territory, develop infrastructure, welcome more guests and improve the company's offer. Ralfs' experience and practical skills gained abroad will be a significant contribution to the company's growth, helping to develop the territory as a high-quality and sustainable recreation area in the Ķekava region.
Support for remigrants and entrepreneurs
The Ķekava region municipality has been participating in the Riga Planning Region's remigration business support program for the third year, which aims to promote the return of compatriots to Latvia and promote business development.
Deputy Chairman of the City Council for Development Aigars Vītols emphasizes:
I am pleased with the successful cooperation between the Ķekava Municipality and the Riga Planning Region. This program provides a real opportunity to help people return home, use the education and experience they have acquired abroad, and at the same time develop their business in our region. Each such project means not only a new job, but also an investment in the development of the Ķekava Municipality and the strengthening of the local economy.
Both remigrants who want to start or develop a business, as well as companies that create jobs for remigrants, can receive funding within the framework of the program. The grant is intended, for example, for the purchase of fixed assets, employee compensation and other company development expenses.
Support for three companies already
In the first year of the program’s implementation, a grant was awarded to the Lingu family for the development of their business. This is one of the successful examples of how the remigration program helps families return to Latvia and develop their business in their region. Thus, in total, in the past three years, funding has been granted to three companies in Ķekava municipality with the support of the remigration program – “Kind of SIA”, “Linga Family” and “TSC MOTORS” – promoting business development, the creation of new jobs and the return of remigrants to their native municipality.