The AmCham Board and staff met for a strategic planning session at the Grand Hotel Kempinski on August 26. The board follows closely the key priority areas set in the beginning of the year, including fostering trade and investment and continuously raising awareness of economic opportunities between Latvia and the U.S., improving the investment and business climate in Latvia, getting prepared for the future of work and improving health outcomes of Latvia’s society.

On August 19, the healthcare work group members met for the first meeting after the summer break to discuss numerous topics: the biobank law, increasing public health funding, online meeting with the Minister of Health and healthcare Innovation Fund of the Recovery and Resilience Facility for Latvia. The work group also discussed latest developments of the five healthcare pilot projects of 2021.

On August 5, Daniels Pavluts, Minister of Health addressed members on the healthcare sector most pressing challenges. Among the main priorities remain vaccination in order to ensure open schools and open businesses. He reflected on the Digital Health Strategy as an ecosystem where the state institutions define the architecture and ensure governance principles, while the ecosystem feeds the architecture with the content. The Minister also appreciated the ongoing AmCham healthcare projects and is looking forward to co-hosting the second Health Data Summit this November.

Bulgaria hosted the Three Seas Initiative on July 8-9, 2021 in Sofia. At the summit ten AmChams presented a joint declaration in support for better infrastructure, diversified and secure energy sources and fast digitalization and innovation. The next Three Seas Summit is set to take place in Riga, Latvia in 2022.

Over 45 members gathered at the courtyard of Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel to celebrate the summer season with a BBQ event. Welcomed by AmCham President Zinta Jansons, members were addressed by Richard Damstra, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy who delivered greetings on the occasion of 245th Anniversary of the American Independence Day. A special thank you goes to our host Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel for delicious food and cozy location and to Chocolette Confectionary for supporting us with RED chocolate treats!