Report on “Making the economy work for us” – with Latvia’s Economics Minister, Arvils Ašeradens
04.11.2016

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Thirty three people attended “Making the economy work for us” – with Latvia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Economics Minister, Arvils Ašeradens at the Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija, Elizabetes 55 on Thursday, November 3rd, 2016 at 18.30.

We thank Mr Ašeradens for an enlightening presentation which covered the current state of affairs, as well as some of the challenges facing Latvia today. The main issues noted included the changing skill requirements in the work place and Latvia’s educational systems ability or inability to meet these changing needs, and issues relating to Revenue Latvia (VID) and it’s inefficiency relative to our neighbours in Estonia. Where Canada is concerned, trade between Latvia and Canada leaves a lot of room for improvement, as current levels are significantly below expectations. This, of course, is what the CanCham intends to improve on, and where we feel CETA will definitely help.

H.E. Alain Hausser, the Ambassador of Canada to Latvia addressed the guests about CETA and promised continuing support for both CETA and the CanCham.

The CanCham members presenting their companies this evening included:

• SilvEXPO, http://www.silvexpo.lv/en/, Ilona Vanaga - innovation and development, products for export.
• Crea Promotion, www.creapromo.com, Olga Melnikova - Creating International events in Latvia, Film Production using Latvia as the main platform and taxes!
• Divine Heat,  http://www.divine.lv/, Stefan Westberg - renewable energy resources, do we really care about the environment when the oil is so cheap? Heat pumps.
• Attaché Baltique, http://attachebaltique.com/, Jelena Osipkova  - Business Concierge Service & Event Management. Personal Assistant in the Baltic States helping foreigners feel at home.

 

 

Future Events (see http://cancham.lv/events/upcoming-events)

• November 14th, Monday 18.30 - Business Support Services work group.  
• November 21st, Monday - Partnership for Profit program orientation for members
• November 28th, Monday, 18.30 - Construction Related Services work group
• December 5th, Monday 18.30 - CanCham Christmas party at the Trompete Restaurant with a raffle in support of Foundation “Nāc līdzās!” (Come along!) - http://www.naclidzas.lv/.
• December 12th, Monday  - Governance work group.