The CanCham was pleased to welcome Mr Michael Eyestone, Canada’s Senior Trade Commissioner for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Riga and his first CanCham event. This signals a new stage in the development of opportunities for CanCham members.

Mr Eyestone is the first Canadian Trade Commissioner appointed by the Canadian Government to this region since 2002, and is stationed in Estonia filling the role of Canada’s representative in Tallinn reporting to H.E. Kevin Rex, Canadian Ambassador to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Although he took up this position in October, 2019, the first months were occupied arranging the state visit of Canada’s Governor General to Estonia and Lithuania late last year. Hence, work on enhancing Canada-Latvia economic and commercial relations began this year. 

Introductions to CanCham started with a “Late Lunch” with CanCham’s Board and Corporate members at 16.00, followed by the Focus on Canada: Trade, Business & Export Development event at 18.30, all taking place at the Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel. 

Mr Eyestone’s presentation can be reviewed at Senior Trade Commissioner where he reviewed the role and objectives of Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Embassy. Mr Eyestone is currently formulating a strategy by which to implement Canadian Government policy and to enhance Canada-Latvia economic and commercial relations which could include:

• encouraging partnerships between Canadian and Latvian entrepreneurs and companies,
• working with partners (including the CanCham!) and leverage existing relationships,
• exploiting diaspora connections,
• raising awareness, attract attention and educate entrepreneurs about business cultures in Canada and Latvia: Seminars, trade missions, high-level visits
• connecting Canadian and Latvian firms at trade shows in Europe and Canada
• the need to focus on areas of particular promise and opportunity

This provides the CanCham with an excellent opportunity to fulfil its objective and participate in activities which will benefit its members and develop closer ties between Canada and Latvia.

Mr Eyestone’s presentation was followed by our new Corporate Contributing member, Savoie Arbitration’s owner Mr Pierre-Olivier Savoie’s presentation which can be reviewed at Savoie_Arbitration - CETA. Mr Savoie was involved in preparing CETA from the Canadian side, and provided some insight of what was considered when negotiating CETA and how it all developed, and outlined opportunities for SMEs in Canada and Latvia. Two facts were highlighted:

• SME’s are not using the full advantages offered by CETA,
• there are mechanisms within CETA to encourage its use.

These are opportunities that can and should be used, and the CanCham looks forward to doing so with the help of the Embassy.

We then had a special treat: a memorable wine tasting experience compliments of the Embassy of Canada to Latvia and presented by Tinto’s Arturs Buss for those with a taste for business and good wine. This was well received.

Announcements (see Announcements) preceded the above.

• Corporate Contributing Members – Savoie Arbitration and the Exupery International School, and Senior Corporate Members Singh’s Restaurants and Indian Raja were recognized.
• The following new members were introduced: Corporate Contributing - Savoie Arbitration, Senior Corporate – Indian Raja, Corporate – Enera, Ametros, Business – Latsweets, Riga Apartments, Riga Decorative Paining Workshop.
• We thanked Medigas for the table decorations / pansies, the Canadian Embassy for sponsoring the wine tasting, and Latsweets for providing a wafer snack for all the guests.

Please follow http://cancham.lv/news for updates, http://cancham.lv/events for upcoming events and http://cancham.lv/cancham-members/presentations for this event’s and previous presentations.