It shall be admitted without prejudice and for the sake of justice that the steel industry in the European Union and the tightly related civil construction sector are in the deepest crisis. This is indisputable. The assignment of the European Parliament to the European Commission to propose a realistic plan within June this year for rescuing the industry serves as evidence.

Unfortunately, against this background, a purposeful, and most likely financed, action is taking place in our country during last months to blacken the activities of JSC “Liepajas Metalurgs”.

We consider the openly made up stories without proof that are close to infringement of the existing business activity protecting jurisdiction as a blackening campaign to discredit JSC “Liepajas Metalurgs”.

The doubtful statements of such “specialists” about VAT nonpayment, conjuncture in the ferrous metal market and “advices” in the steel production are beginning to light up the existence of stage-managers, which are directing this “theatre”.

Administrative and criminal processes, which are initiated for destabilizing one of the biggest producers with high level of confidentiality and openness, the company that has accomplished a huge work for introduction of a unique technology, again and again suffer fiasco. A question arises – why and for whom it is beneficial.

The calculation is rather simple – to exert maximum influence on the decisions to be taken by Themis and the government.

We are grateful to those rare mass media that understand the seriousness of the question and – the main thing – understand the influence of such declared war activities on the work personnel.

We express a hope that the Cabinet of Ministers will find a possibility to support the company that is having temporary difficulties, its 2300 workers in the plant (about 15 000 work personnel in total in the affiliated companies). Work of these people in JSC “Liepajas Metalurgs” allows to ensure the annual turnover of 430 million EUR, export amount of 98 percent and 9,4 million LVL paid tax in 2012.

JSC "Liepajas Metalurgs"

Līga Šenfelde
Assistant of chief Economist
63455926, shenfelde@metalurgs.lv