RIGA, May 12 (LETA) - More than EUR 351 million have been invested in the development of the eastern border area, the Smart Administration and Regional Development Ministry informed LETA.

On Tuesday, a meeting of the thematic committee for socio-economic development and strengthening security of the eastern border region was held under the chairmanship of Raimonds Cudars (New Unity), Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development, to discuss the implementation of the action plan for economic growth and strengthening security of Latvia's eastern border region for the period 2025-2027.

By March 31 this year, measures amounting to at least EUR 351 million had been implemented in the eastern border area, including more than EUR 130 million for security, more than EUR 150 million for economic development and more than EUR 70 million for human resources development.

At the same time, private investment of more than EUR 26 million has been attracted to develop the economy and at least 518 new jobs are expected to be created.

Among the most important works carried out are the construction of five disaster management centers in Dagda, Ilukste, Daugavpils, Livani and Vilani, completion of about 280 kilometers of Latvian-Russian border fence, the development of anti-mobility infrastructure and the reinforcement of military infrastructure in the eastern border area.

At the same time, the region continues to develop the eastern Latvian smart technology and research center industrial park in Daugavpils and 20 business infrastructure development projects worth EUR 34.5 million are being implemented, with plans to support 106 businesses and create at least 116 jobs.

The Latgale Special Economic Zone has also been extended to include the municipality of Aluksne, and investment in access to education and healthcare continues.

The committee discussed the new EU initiative "Eastern Investment Facility", which aims to promote investment in and strengthen the resilience of the EU's eastern border regions.

The initiative aims to facilitate access to advisory and lending support through cooperation between international financial institutions and national development banks.

The vommittee meeting was attended by representatives of several ministries, the Latgale planning region, the Latgale sub-commission of the Saeima and other relevant institutions.