Cognizant keeps sustainability at forefront

Cognizant recently announced a Climate Education challenge, a gamified competition, for employees amongst teams in the Baltics aiming to provide a basic understanding of such climate issues as the greenhouse effect, the consequences of global warming as well as in-depth learning on climate and biodiversity. In addition, the Sustainability Magazine has included CEO of Cognizant, Ravi Kumar among the top 10 CEOs of the world’s largest companies, making a positive impact on the planet and driving sustainable change. 

On August 24, McCann Riga hosted the first AmCham Business After Hours after the summer break with an inspirational presentation by Sintija Popena, Creative Director at McCann who shared professional insights on how creativity can help boost brands and increase business value. Many thanks to McCann for hosting an excellent event with wine, food, good company, and an exciting office tour.

Spotlight Latvia to gather business leaders in less than 3 weeks in Boston

Focusing on Technology and Education this year's Spotlight Latvia will take place on September 21-22 in Boston. It will provide a unique opportunity to welcome and meet government officials and business leaders from Latvia and the U.S. One of the panels will be joined by John Tully, AmCham President and CEO of MikroTik. Several AmCham members have agreed to contribute to this conference by sharing their expertise, including Accenture, ERDA, Riga Stradins Unversity, Riga Business School, Roche, SAF Tehnika, Luminor, Latvijas Finieris and Skaal. If you plan to be on the East Coast, do not miss the Spotlight Latvia! The conference is hosted by the Latvian American Chamber of Commerce and supported by MFA, LIAA, ALA, Red Jackets, and AmCham.

The U.S. Department evaluates Latvia's investment climate

The U.S. Department of State reports on Latvia's progress in combating money laundering, work on encouraging foreign direct investment, and the improvement of the country’s business climate. The report emphasizes Latvia's GDP growth in 2022 by 2 percent, the country's 2nd ranking in the OECD’s 2022 International Tax Competitiveness Index, and the positive location by providing strategic access to both the EU market and to Central Asia. According to the report, the most significant challenges include a shortage of available workforce, demographic change, quality of education, and a significant shadow economy. Access the full assessment HERE!

Economic growth expected to be slower

The latest Global Economic Outlook by the EY expert research group "EY Parthenon" shows that the GDP of the world economy will grow by 2.6% this year and 2.8% next year, while the growth of the Eurozone will be slower - only 0.7% this year and 1.2% next year. At the end of the year, Latvia's economy might face certain challenges, as the second quarter rapid assessment data show that Latvia's economy has shrunk.

Funding available for U.S. Expert visits to Latvia

All NGO organizations, universities and non-profit institutions are invited to apply for BAFF Baltic-American Dialogue program to receive financial support of up to 10,000 USD dollars to host a speaker from the U.S. to travel to Latvia. Applicant organizations are encouraged to design projects taking place from January 1, 2024 till August 31, 2024 and invite their experts to address topics of mutual importance. Apply by September 15 HERE!

Baltic Market Outlook for 2Q 2023 is out

CBRE Research team shares the data and insights through sector-focused reports for 6 months of 2023: Market Outlook, Investment Figures, Office Figures, Retail Figures as well as Industrial Figures. CBRE invites you to delve into key market segments, emerging investment hotspots, and the driving forces behind the region's commercial real estate realms and see how the first half-year of 2023 has unfolded. 

Join the PMNET forum as a participant or supporter

Europe’s leading precision medicine networking event - PMNET Forum 2023 - will take place in Riga on October 12-13 at the National Library of Latvia. With this forum, the organizers Riga Stradins University, Children's Hospital Foundation, Latvian Children's Oncology Fund, Children's University Hospital Latvia, as well as the Ministries of Economy and Health, will bring together healthcare providers, researchers, industry, policymakers, and patient representatives to contribute to the ultimate goal - to improve patient care and outcomes by promoting development and adoption of Precision Medicine. The event is complimentary, but registration is mandatory.

Delta Air Lines codeshares with airBaltic

Delta Air Lines and airBaltic have received approval for a codeshare partnership. Riga, alongside Tallinn and Vilnius, will be much easier to reach from USA Delta-covered destinations. The partnership will allow 24 flights for Europe and future cooperation foresees Delta's flights from Europe to the United States as well. The two airlines applied with the United States Department of Transportation more than two years ago.

Latvijas Finieris supports the Song and Dance Festival

Latvijas Finieris was among the sponsors of the XXVII Nationwide Latvian Song and XVII Dance Festival by providing birch decorations and considerable financial support to the film “The Land that Sings”, while the company’s birch plywood products were widely featured in nine scenography projects across the city - from signboards and décor to stage floors and acoustic structures. The company also donated 68 free tickets to SOS Children’s Villages Latvia thus offering children an opportunity to join the event in person. Overall, Latvijas Finieris’ contribution to the Song and Dance Festival exceeded €100,000.