29.05.2024 Report on the CanCham Re-Start Reception
29.05.2024

---

Link to pictures

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Latvia’s (CanCham) “Re-Start” reception organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Canada in Latvia and hosted by the Embassy took place on Monday, May 27th, 2024 at Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This event celebrated the newly established cooperation between the Embassy of Canada and the CanCham which focuses on the facilitation of Canadian business interests in Latvia through a network of local partners, and provided an opportunity to meet senior Canadian diplomats as well as members of the newly appointed CanCham Board.

CanCham’s Chairman, Ed Kalvins, welcomed those present and provided a short overview of recent changes at the CanCham and the program going forward which will emphasize in-person business networking meetings that are intended to facilitate interaction between members. These include:

• “Show & Tell” – providing members with the opportunity to present their businesses to others.
• Seminars and “CanCham Talks” providing information sharing opportunities for relevant issues.
• “CanCham Corner” – informal get-togethers just to relax and chat, enjoy good food and strengthen relationships with business partners.
• Core Events include Canada Day, the Canadian Thanksgiving and CanCham Christmas.
• Events with visitors from Canada or local specialists.

Ed also thanked Ambassador Brian Szwarc of the Embassy of Canada to Latvia for hosting this event and their support as CanCham starts a new era, with particular to appreciation going to Nicolas Lepage, Regional senior trade commissioner and Counsellor (Commercial affairs – Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) for the Embassy of Canada to Latvia for his contribution to CanCham’s development.

Ambassador Szwarc from his side thanked the CanCham for its initiatives promoting Canada/Latvia commercial relations, and Ed Kalvins for taking the lead in this process. Ambassador Szwarc also explained the changing role of Canadian Embassies in the Baltics, that is, the establishment of separate Embassies in each of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and the particular the significant increase of Canada’s military presence of Task Force Latvia over the coming year.

The rest of the evening was spent in friendly networking, and some of the panelists of the “Defence, and Latvia’s Defense Strategy” panel discussion event coming up next Monday discussed the approach to be used in the event.

A big “THANK YOU” to all who participated in this historic event. We look forward to an exciting and informative program for the next year.

 You are invited to review the CanCham brochure which describes important information about the CanCham and our upcoming events, and please follow https://cancham.lv/ for the latest news and event updates.

Upcoming events include:

Monday, June 3rd, 2024 18.30 – “Defence, and Latvia’s Defense Strategy” panel discussion

with:

• Colonel R.M. (Rob) Foster, MSC, MSM, CD, Canadian Defence Attaché to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, Embassy of Canada to Latvia
• Ainārs Latkovskis (JV), member of the Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee of the Latvian Parliament,
• Elīna Egle, Chairperson of the Board of the Federation of Security & Defence Industries of Latvia,
• Nicolas Lepage, Regional senior trade commissioner and Counsellor (Commercial affairs – Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia), Embassy of Canada to Latvia
• Andris Ķesteris, President, Baltic Canadian Council
• Moderator – Ed Kalvins, President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Latvia

Friday, June 7^th, 2024 at 8.30 - CanCham business networking breakfast with Melanie Raymond, Director of the Investment Analysis, Chief economist office, Global Affairs Canada