Aleksandrs Jemeljanovs, Chairman of Hotulanus: We, as the Baltic Business Club, strive toward one goal – to make our environment strong. And this strength undoubtedly lies in people: their experience, foresight and ability to manage processes that fuel the economy and promote the prosperity of our country. Today, I spoke with our colleague in the club, a person who is rightly called an "economic man" and entrepreneur in business circles – Ēriks Cešeiko. Ērik, you are not only a logistics expert, but you have also been actively developing this sector for many years, serving as the chairman of the board of the Extron sea terminal and previously managing such large companies as SIA "KS Terminal" and A/S "Baltic Sea Port."
The secret of an economist: from engineer to sea terminal gates.
Aleksandrs Jemeljanovs: Your career path is impressive: from civil engineer (Latvian Academy of Agriculture) to Master of Business Administration (Riga International School of Economics and Business Administration). How do you think this diverse education helped you become the "economist" you are today?
Ēriks Cešeiko: It's not just a collection of diplomas, but a foundation. A civil engineer sees not only the business plan, but also how the foundations are laid, how the railway line is built. He understands what real infrastructure is. But a master of management combines all of this into a single strategy. An economist is someone who not only generates ideas, but also ensures their physical, financial, and personnel implementation. It is the ability to work "on site," without being distracted from the realities of the port, warehouse, or field. My experience at KS Terminal, where we invested millions in infrastructure development — warehouse construction, deepening, and automation — is a direct result of this approach.
Aleksandrs Jemeljanovs: In 2017, as the head of KS Terminal, you spoke about plans to increase turnover to two million tons, even in a difficult geopolitical situation and amid declining coal volumes. How did you manage to achieve such results?
Ēriks Cešeiko: Thanks to diversification and flexibility. We deliberately moved away from complete dependence on coal transit, focusing on environmentally friendly types of cargo — agricultural cargo, timber, and other bulk and general cargo. We saw development potential in grain. When we achieved record grain transshipment volumes in 2019, becoming one of the largest port operators, it was not a matter of luck, but rather the result of calculated investments (more than €5 million in warehouses, rail sidings, and equipment) and strategy. We emphasized speed and quality of service, convincing customers of the advantages of our terminal. I have always said: "It takes years to attract cargo, but only a month to lose it." Our approach is to give the shipper a sense of stability.
Logistics as a strategic hub: an expert's opinion
Aleksandrs Jemeljanovs: You are Hotulanus' logistics coordinator, and thanks to your participation, our club has organized such important events as roundtable discussions on cooperation with Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and the United States. What, in your opinion, is Latvia's strategic role at the moment?
Ēriks Cešeiko: Latvia and all the Baltic states should see themselves not only as a point on the map, but also as a key transport hub between the West, Central Asian countries and Eastern Europe. Our success in logistics depends on three things: technical support, the ability to adapt to new realities and, of course, support from the state and all the institutions involved.
Social capital and development: from politics to innovation
Aleksandrs Jemeljanovs: You have always been active in public life. Why does an entrepreneur need politics?
Ēriks Cešeiko: Politics is a tool that can be used to create a favorable environment for economic development. Entrepreneurs must participate in this process so as not to become hostages to absurd laws. Remember the absurd situation with the recent amendments to the Construction Law and the Land Use Law, when stevedores were forced to "give away" their new warehouses to the port authority due to a legal error. Things like this destroy investment. I am convinced that strong entrepreneurs, as "crisis managers," must offer their well-thought-out ideas for reviving manufacturing, agriculture, and the entire economy, using their deep understanding not only of transport flows but also of economic development as a whole.
Aleksandrs Jemeljanovs: In addition to logistics, you participated in a unique project to develop innovative therapeutic food products for patients with dysphagia/malnutrition. How does this relate to your main activity?
Ēriks Cešeiko: It was our family project, and I was lucky to be part of it. The opportunity to participate in the development of products that have high added value and are important to the country is truly inspiring. The project, which is based on Latvian research and local raw materials, aims to create products that are currently only imported. It is an example of how we can use our strengths – agriculture and science – to fill a critical niche. Essentially, it is the same principle of logistics, only not in relation to cargo, but to innovation and health. As someone with management skills, it was a way for me to apply my experience in managing complex processes in a completely new, socially significant field.
Aleksandrs Jemeljanovs: Erik, thank you for the insightful conversation. In conclusion, as someone who has achieved success in both business and public life, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Ēriks Cešeiko: Learn, listen to the "ground," be an engineer and a strategist at the same time. Remember: to become a leader, you have to invest in infrastructure and relationships. Seek partnerships, not isolation. Working at Hotulanus, we see how important it is to build dialogue (whether with Ukraine, Kazakhstan or the US) – it is precisely through dialogue that new transport flows and new millions are created. Be flexible, be thrifty and be ready for change.
Aleksandrs Jemeljanovs: Together with Ēriks Cešeiko, we not only reinforced our understanding of Latvia's critical role in Eurasian logistics, but also confirmed our club's main principle: a strong environment is created by strong people.
About Erik Ceseiko:
- Field of activity:: entrepreneur, logistics and port operations expert.
- Current position: Chairman of the Board of the Extron seaport terminal.
- Основные черты: crisis manager, thrifty person.
- Education: Professional Master's degree in Business Management (RISEBA), Civil Engineer (LLA).
- Public role: Hotulanus logistics coordinator, organizer of major international B2B events.
Aleksandrs Jemeljanovs: Thank you, Erik.
Ēriks Cešeiko: Thank you, Aleksandrs.