The UK’s industry association for Intelligent Transport Systems has opened up more international opportunities for members by strengthening ties with its counterpart in Latvia by hosting a joint event at the Latvian Embassy in London.
ITS (UK) President Steve Norris, the former UK Transport Minister, and Latvia’s Ambassador to the UK, Ivita Burmistre, welcomed attendees to the meeting which was organised by ITS (UK) and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia Trade Delegation. The event heard from Latvian organisations LMT Innovations, Dots and Rail Baltica about their technology, as well as from the UK Department for Transport, Transport Scotland and Coventry City council who talked about national policy and initiatives, and innovative projects and business opportunities.
“This collaboration opportunity with ITS (UK) teaches us learning and cooperation,” commented Aiga Irmeja of ITS Latvia (Pictured, left). “We can understand how to build partnerships and cooperation, and how our members can gain from international contacts.”
“There’s a lot of innovation going on across Europe and across the globe,” added Sunil Budhdeo of Coventry City Council. “This sort of collaboration is excellent for encouraging exchange of information and exchange of knowledge.” Juris Vilders of Dots added, “I do believe that both countries can learn from each other, and the UK can help Latvian ITS to find its way in improving transport.”
ITS (UK) is the world’s oldest national ITS Association, and this year celebrates 30 years of promoting better transport through technology. During this time, it has built up partnerships with dozens of ITS organisations around the world. ITS (UK) and ITS Latvia signed a co-operation Memorandum of Understanding at the meeting.
“One of the things our members tell us is that opening up international opportunities is one of the most important things we do,” explained ITS (UK) Secretary General Jennie Martin (Pictured, right). “By working with organisations like ITS Latvia, we can discover export opportunities for our members, and also learn about new technology developed overseas that could be implemented to improve transport in the UK. It is a real win-win, and why these sorts of events are so important.”
ITS (UK) will be next be representing the ITS industry internationally at the ITS European Congress in Toulouse later in the month.
(Picture – ITS (UK))
