As we progress towards the re-start of the CanCham in early 2024, and as outlined in https://cancham.lv/news/update-november-2023--the-cancham-restart, representatives of the CanCham (Una Brūna, Mark Watson and Ed Kalvins) discussed the way forward with the new Senior Trade Commissioner at the Embassy of Canada, Nicolas Lepage.

The development of commercial activities between Canada and Latvia is our common objective. This includes attracting Canadian business to the Baltic region and providing support to Canadians who wish to enter this market through a network of local contacts. This network, curated by CanCham will facilitate the development of business opportunities. The development of this network is a significant contribution that the CanCham can offer to fulfilling the Embassy’s trade and investment (commercial) objectives. This is also in keeping with the established objective of the CanCham in developing strategic partnerships between Canadian and Latvian businesses in Latvia. However, it should be noted, that the CanCham will be referring those Latvians companies interested in doing business in Canada to the relevant organizations.

The emphasis will, therefore, be on developing business focussed networking opportunities, with some also being of a more social nature. Both the Embassy and the CanCham are committed to supporting one another in the appropriate situations.

With that in mind, Nicolas will be joining the CanCham as an Honorary Member as provided for in the CanCham statues, and will be working with us to develop a meaningful program for both Canadians doing business in the Baltics and CanCham members in Latvia. He will be the first Canadian Diplomat to serve in that role since Sean Boyd in the first two years of the CanCham’s existence.

After the CanCham General Meeting on Monday, January 22nd, 2024,  we will have an official CanCham re-launch event hosted by the Embassy of Canada (tentatively scheduled for Monday, February 12th, 2024), then resume the traditional events celebrating Canada Day on or around July 1st and the Canadian Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October. Our intention is to supplement this program with other value-added networking events for our members and friends.