For successful implementation of the European gauge railway line Rail Baltic/Rail Baltica project its coordinator, the joint venture of the three Baltic States “RB Rail AS” registered in Latvia, has founded branches in Lithuania and Estonia.
At the beginning of the December 2016 “RB Rail AS” founded branches in Lithuania and Estonia. On December 6, 2016, branch “RB Rail AS Lietuvos filialas” was registered in Lithuania, but on December 14, 2016, branch “RB Rail AS Eesti filiaal” was officially registered in Estonia. The aim of the newly registered branches is to promote successful project implementation operations of “RB Rail AS”.
The founding of the branches in both countries was in accordance to the Agreement on Rail Baltic/Rail Baltica Contracting scheme signed in October, 2016, defining procurement roles of the joint venture “RB Rail AS” and the national implementing bodies in the three Baltic countries. The agreement states that the contracts for “RB Rail AS” organised procurements having as their subject matter service provision or supply of materials in Lithuania or Estonia must be signed with the respective branch of “RB Rail AS” ensuring VAT input tax recovery in the respective country.
Additionally, the branches will be performing project coordinator’s representational function in both countries and will be ensuring direct contact with the ministries and the implementing bodies of the respective states. The branches will also facilitate Estonian and Lithuanian citizen interest to work for the joint venture “RB Rail AS” registered in Latvia with its head office in Riga.
Currently both branches are managed by Baiba Rubesa, the CEO of “RB Rail AS”, however, after the registration process will be concluded the management will be overtaken by the respective “RB Rail AS” Country Managers in Estonia and Lithuania.