On 2–3 November 2020, Latvian diplomats working with economic affairs in more than 30 countries gathered for their annual training at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The training programme covers a vast range of topics: Latvia’s economic development, issues of current importance to the energy and food sectors, and Latvia’s achievements in the field of advanced technologies. The participants are also going on a regional visit to the city of Cēsis and the Cēsis District.
On 2 November, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Pelšs, delivered an opening address for the training session; he highlighted the contemporary global economic challenges and pointed out how important it was for businesses to adjust and diversify supply chains. The Foreign Service is prepared to continue supporting Latvia’s businesses both in their present markets and as they explore new opportunities for cooperation.
The Director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Kaspars Rožkalns, gave a presentation on latest trends in Latvia’s economy and progress made in the matters of Latvia’s national image strategy. He also informed the participants about the issues of current importance in investment attraction and export promotion.
The Chairperson of the Board of SIA Latvijas vēja parki, Ilvija Boreiko, updated the diplomats on developments in the energy sector. A presentation was also delivered by Andris Bite, President of the Latvian Employers’ Confederation and Chairperson of the Board of SIA Karavela fish processing company, who also represented the Latvian Federation of Food Companies.
As part of their training, the diplomats visited companies specialising in high technology products and services – “Lightspace Technologies”, “Cellbox Labs” and “Aerones”.
On 3 November, the diplomats are on a tour in Cēsis and the Cēsis District, where they will meet with the Chairman of the District Council, Jānis Rozenbergs, and business people, as well as visiting several companies – the Environmental Solutions Institute, “BalticFloc”, “Dores Fabrika”, and a creative industries centre, Co-Creation House SKOLA6.
Training is being held for the sixth consecutive year in order to provide a deeper insight into Latvia’s economy and its development prospects, and to promote cooperation between diplomats and businesses in entering foreign markets, addressing business-related issues and seeking and offering the available support.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes contribution from its cooperation partners and thanks them for their input to the designing and implementation of the training programme.