Economical situation in mechanical engineering sector

2. Presentation outline Association of Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking Industries of Latvia (MASOC) – objectives and activities Mechanical engineering sector – key development trends in global markets and Latvia Implications of the global crisis and how to respond

3. MASOC - the organisation Association of Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking Industries of Latvia (MASOC) is a voluntary, public, non-profit organization founded in 1994 as an informative and consultative centre for the specified industrial sector.

4. MASOC – the goal The goal of Association’s activities is to promote the development of the Mechanical Engineering sector in general, promote mutual cooperation and professional growth of the specialists in the sector.

5. MASOC - the organisation Today association has 172 members which account for more than 80% of the total output produced by Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking sector in Latvia. Incomes mainly consist of member fees, economic activities and EU projects etc.

6. MASOC – number of members

7. MASOC – main activities Lobbying of sector’s interests (State institutions, Local governments, International organisations) Education system improvement Promotion of sector’s image International co-operation Analysis of EU legislation Development of recommendations for legislation improvement

8. Mechanical engineering Mechanical engineering is a sector in its own right but, as a supplier of capital goods and common technologies used by different industries. Mechanical engineering is a strategic industry: it is a high added-value, knowledge-intensive sector which supplies all other sectors of the economy with the machines, production systems, components and associated services, as well as technology and knowledge they need. Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Industrial Change in the Mechanical Engineering Sector. Brussels, 2005.

9. Structure of manufacturing industry in Latvia, 2008

10. Sector production and exports in Latvia (mil. LVL)

11. Sector production and exports in Latvia

12. Industrial production in Europe

13. Steel using sectors in Europe 2008 – 2009 (source – Eurometal)

14. Response to the crisis The main limitations to influence the effect of crisis: The sector is export oriented (export share > 70%) and is dependant on trends of the global markets Strong linkages with downstream industries – dependant on developments in these sectors

15. Response to the crisis – key activities Close co-operation with other employers organisations Membership in Employers Confederation and Chamber of Trade and Commerce Industry council led by MASOC Building consensus among employers organisations regarding ; Sector analysis Statistical monthly analysis of various sub-sectors of mechanical engineering; Permanent dialogue with Government, review of new tax and legislative initiatives To ensure that business environment is not less favourable as in other countries of the region (tax burden and administration, energy costs);

16. Response to the crisis – key activities (cont) International co-operation, finding of new markets Organisation of national stands in major international exhibitions and trade fairs (Elmia Subcontracting 209, Hannover, etc.) Organisation of major event Tech Industry 2009 in Riga 26-28 November 2009 including international conference, seminar and brokerage event Clustering activities (industry – research – education collaboration) Promoting specialisation, co-operation among companies and building critical mass Identification and implementation of joint projects