Throughout the year AmCham has been increasing its advocacy efforts and cooperation with various stakeholders on issues including labor force shortages, STEM education, whistleblowers' protection and digitalization. AmCham was an active member of the Internal Market Committee at the Ministry of Economics, convened regularly within its very active Labor Force Working Group, continued its strong partnership with FICIL through its several working groups. AmCham hosted an Outlook on demographic change and workforce mobility, co-hosted a conference on STEM education together with the U.S. Embassy in Latvia, and was a vocal supporter of the Whistleblower's protection Law, which was adopted by the Saeima in October. In 2019 AmCham will continue to further raise awareness about whistleblowers' protection and how to ensure adequate internal control mechanisms in larger companies. Labor force will remain one of our strategic priorities next year responding to the critical need to attract qualified talent, both international and domestic. In the coming weeks we will be asking for members' opinion in an online survey on labor force issues. We are also planning to renew our Healthcare Working group and will closely monitor Latvia's progress following up on Moneyval's report on its financial sector.

As a member-driver organization we rely on members' expertise and initiative. Please do keep us informed about issues important for your business thus we can collectively address them.

If you wish to submit an advocacy initiative, please contact the Executive Director & Board Member at: liga.bertulsone@amcham.lv or 6721-2204.