In this year’s State of American Business keynote address, U.S. Chamber President and CEO Suzanne Clark outlined the benefits of free enterprise in an optimistic speech at Chamber headquarters in Washington, D.C. on January 11. The State of American Business 2024 promotes the innovation and impact of America’s free enterprise system that enables businesses to serve customers, solve problems, and strengthen society. The event drew a virtual audience of more than 10,000 people from around the world.

In the first speaker event of 2024, AmCham members met with Viktors Valainis, Minister of Economy to discuss his ministerial priorities and ways to improve the business and investment environment in Latvia. Members had the opportunity to ask their questions and take part in a lively discussion on what can AmCham do to support the Minister's priorities. The discussion was moderated by Ieva Racenaja, AmCham Vice President.

On December 19, the AmCham Healthcare work group held its last meeting of the year. The work group looked back at its wide range of activities in 2023 and set priorities for the next year. Among key priorities will be value-based healthcare, precision medicine development as well as further promotion of sustainable healthcare investments. The work group welcomed a new Co-Chair, Irena Teterina, Medical Head Baltics & Ukraine at Novartis Baltics.

On December 13, members were honored to meet Christopher Robinson, U.S. Ambassador to Latvia who shared his insights on the U.S.-Latvia bilateral relations and the future of transatlantic partnership and security in these challenging times. According to the Ambassador, areas of improvement include accessibility to banking services, energy security, investment in education, R&D, and a skillful workforce as well as continuing the fight against corruption.

Over 60 members joined this year's annual Christmas Charity reception to kick-off the holiday season and raised €2600 to charities benefitting Latvia's children's health and well-being: Children’s Hospital Foundation, Latvian Foster Family Association, Ronald McDonald House Charities in Latvija, Pink Train Foundation and SOS Children's Villages. It was also a great opportunity to look back at this year and award the most active members: BluOr Bank, Cognizant, McDonald’s and Novartis.