The Liepaja Special Economic Zone Authority and Fokker Next Gen N.V. sign a Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding indicates the stages of the project, in which it is planned to develop a new hydrogen-powered aircraft, which also includes establishment of an Engineering Center of Excellence Hydrogen Aircraft Operations in Latvia, focused on aircraft ground handling, airport infrastructure and hydrogen infrastructure.

For the development and production of new generation aircraft "Fokker Next Gen N.V." also intends to build an Engineering Canter of Excellence to Hydrogen Aircraft Maintenance in Latvia, focused on aircraft maintenance and support requirements, as well as a Canter of Excellence Maintenance and Documentation Support in Latvia focused on production of all documentation required for by airlines and aircraft maintenance canters and the Final Assembly Line in Latvia including its engineering support organization in addition to the final assembly line that will be constructed in the Netherlands.

"Fokker Next Gen N.V." appreciates the advantages of the Liepaja SEZ and by this Memorandum of Understanding declares its interest in conducting a feasibility study to build a production plant for the final assembly of new hydrogen-powered aircraft in the territory of the Liepaja International Airport (LPX), which is part of the Liepaja Special Economic Zone.

"Fokker Next Gen N.V." CEO Juriaan Kellermann reveals the company's strategic plans: “The well-equipped Liepaja International Airport, which offers large areas suitable for the construction of our assembly line, is an excellent potential location for our production facility. Its direct sea connection to the Netherlands and the expected proximity to the hydrogen production facilities in the future are significant advantages. Moreover, the business-friendly climate in the region could also be very beneficial to our operations. We are excited about the opportunity to cooperate with the Liepaja Special Economic Zone (LSEZ) and other stakeholders to develop a stable aviation ecosystem in Latvia. The goal of this initiative is to support the eventual creation of a future Final Assembly Line in Liepaja, which will run parallel to the line in the Netherlands, significantly increasing our ability to produce innovative hydrogen-powered aircrafts.”

The Liepaja SEZ CEO Uldis Hmieļevskis points out that Liepaja has been historically and still is the most important regional industrial center in Latvia with rich traditions and experience. Furthermore, in the last twenty-five years, a unified, high-quality business environment with a seaport, manufacturing, the airport, road, and railway access roads has been created in Liepaja, which is also appreciated by the Dutch company "Fokker Next Gen N.V.". Uldis Hmieļevskis adds: "Liepaja also has far-reaching tradition in the manufacturing of airplanes. About a hundred years ago, 15 aircraft were built for the Latvian Defenders Organization in the Tosmare Ship Repair Yard, which was then known as the "War-

Port Workshops". The built airplanes were transported by rafts to the Liepaja Northern Airfield on the other side of the Karosta Canal to perform the necessary test flights. Liepaja can do it today, as well!"

In order to implement such an ambitious project in Latvia, "Fokker Next Gen N.V." Chief Executive Officer Juriaan Kellermann signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Riga Technical University Rector Tālis Juhna, expressing interest to jointly promote research and innovation capabilities and to develop a regional aviation innovation ecosystem, and also to attract national and international funding for education, research, and innovation.

To create an Engineering Canter of Excellence to Hydrogen Aircraft Maintenance in Latvia, it is essential to use the existing scientific and educational capacity, for example, by implementing high-level research, by attracting the EU funding and other external financial sources and commercializing their results, thus helping innovative technologies to enter the market. The development of highly educated human capital is no less important.

The Dutch company "Fokker Next Gen N.V." also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Economics, providing a significant contribution to the development of the green energy cluster on the Kurzeme Coast.

By this project, “Fokker Next Gen N.V.” company will stimulate faster development of hydrogen technologies. It is particularly important in the context of the development of the offshore wind farm "Elwind", as it will potentially increase the demand for hydrogen fuel in the future", emphasized Iveta Strupkāja, Acting Director of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency, adding that currently several other companies have expressed their readiness to engage in the development of the hydrogen cluster.