In a meeting with the Director of the NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence the growing impact of disinformation on businesses and the society was discussed. Digitalization has brought a major shift in how information is consumed highlighting human vulnerabilities. The digital ecosystem poses new threats from faking your online presence to stealing your personal and company data. Recommended actions? Be aware of security risks, prepare an adequate regulatory framework, treat your data as a powerful tool and call for improving governance to keep pace with fast evolving technologies.

SEB banka hosted members for a discussion on the role of corporate governance in access to financing and company credit rating. The discussion was followed by a networking and door-prize drawing at the SEB Innovation Center. Among invited speakers were Karlis Danevics from SEB bank, Andris Grafs from BICG and Guntars Balcuns from Latvenergo. Presentations are available. Watch the video!

At the April business luncheon the Minister of Health highlighted several pressing issues facing Latvia's healthcare system. From implementation of Health Technology Assessment to improving e-health system, and from exploring various financing models to improving quality of health services were addressed. Minister Vinkele is planning to introduce good corporate governance principles in the management of state hospitals by creating supervisory boards.

Our top-tier members and AmCham Board had an opportunity to meet with Janis Bordans, Minister of Justice to discuss reforms in the judicial system, establishment of specialized commercial courts and raising quality of pre-trial investigation. The Minister engaged in an open dialogue on strengthening the rule of law.

During the last labor force working group meeting the results of the labor force survey were discussed. According to the initial results it was decided to accentuate two priority areas which we believe should drive the political agenda to adequately respond to the challenges brought on by labor shortages: putting Latvia on the map as a career destination and developing skills to empower people. Among key recommendations will be calling to create a comprehensive strategy and website for talent attraction. Full report on the survey results will be communicated shortly.

Members of the Healthcare working group discussed the ways to improve the digitalization efficiency. Baiba Apine, Leader of FICIL Digitalization work group shared recommendations for the upcoming High Council in May: establishment of CIO office, responsible IT policy, improvements of G2B interaction, further development of e-Identification solutions and clear digital agenda for Latvia. At the next meeting the working group will discuss Health Technology Assessment.

On April 18, the U.S. Embassy in cooperation with AmCham Latvia established the Overseas Security Advisory Council or OSAC Riga Council and elected the local Steering Committee. OSAC promotes security cooperation between the private sector and the U.S. Department of State. There are several ways of how to get involved: by signing up to daily Newsletter, by becoming a new constituent (primarily for U.S.-based companies) and attending OSAC events of your interest. The OSAC Steering Committee will be co-chaired by Roberts Melbardis, AmCham Board Member and Paul Poletes, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Latvia. More information available here!

AmCham has been increasing its advocacy efforts lately. As an active participant of the Internal Market Committee at the Ministry of Economics we will continue raising issues identified by our members, therefore please let us know if there are internal market issues you would like us to address through this platform. Please contact our Excecutive Director at: amcham@amcham.lv or call 6721-2204 to discuss more! We will make sure your concerns are being heard.

PwC Competition Watch 2019, a survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal (PwC Legal) finds that Latvia needs closer collaboration and consultation with market players to minimize market distortions and build criteria for better market supervision. Construction, Transportation and Retail & Wholesale have received the most fines. Download the study!

On April 24, the University of Latvia and Riga Technical University, in cooperation with the University of Buffalo (USA) have launched the 1st IT education program in English which will be implemented by RTU Riga Business School. Students are invited to submit applications as of May. In the new program, IT competencies will be integrated with communication, project management, artistic, law, finance and other skills that will give students the foundation for a successful career in the digital era. Concurrently with the program a unified IT education platform "The Baltic IT Society" or BITS was introduced in order to promote the preparation of 3000 IT professionals in Latvia annually. More information at www.BITL.lv. Congratulations to RBS for implementing this long-awaited and much needed program!

On 25th of March, Artur Chernikau, Teamlead Founder and Managing Partner, was elected as President of International Coach Federation, Latvia Chapter for 2019-2020. Congratulations to Artur and our full support towards his mission to increase the quantity and quality of professional coaching in Latvia!

April 2019

Welcome to our April newsletter. This month we engaged in discussions with the Minister of Health about healthcare issues and the Minister of Justice about the judicial system reforms. SEB bank hosted a very topical debate on the role of corporate governance in access to funding. And just today, Director of STRATCOM addressed tackling of disinformation threats. We have significantly increased our advocacy efforts on issues including access to talent and digitalization of the healthcare system. And finally, thanks to our strong cooperation with the U.S. Embassy, OSAC Riga Council was established. We look forward to seeing you at one of our next events in May!

Upcoming events

May 02, 2019

from 12:30 till 18:30

May 14, 2019

from 11:00 till 13:00

May 16, 2019

from 18:00 till 21:00

May 23, 2019 - May 24, 2019

from 09:00 till 18:00

May 30, 2019 - May 31, 2019

Jul 06, 2019

from 13:00 till 16:00

Sep 19, 2019

from 17:00

Special Offers

Invitation from TeamLead (April 29-May 12)

Voucher for 100 EUR from Latvia Tours