24.10.2026 Registration begins for the Competitiveness Agenda 2026 and its Afterparty（https://cancham.lv/news/24102026-registration-begins-for-the-competitiveness-agenda-2026-and-its-afterparty）
24.10.2026
Registration begins for the Competitiveness Agenda 2026 and its Afterparty
Event: Wednesday, November 4th, 2026
Please register here（https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekJvcF7r5Em7ACVD2QZgcWe-lNtSylkuNd3-OypbYpzdNPOA/viewform） for the Competitiveness Agenda 2026 forum
Please register here（https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSjvB0P1FAVlMn-_w0NkS2C_YAH2x6jiluAaXqDSaJzVwtyA/viewform） for the Afterparty
Please Register Here（https://forms.gle/Y9V3ghJtiC1RpLX29）
Dear CanCham Members and Friends,
On behalf of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Latvia (CanCham), we are pleased to invite you to The Competitiveness Agenda 2026, an international business forum initiated by the Irish Latvian Chamber of Commerce (ILCC), in cooperation with CanCham and other partner chambers and business organisations.
The forum will bring together business leaders, policymakers, investors and international experts to discuss Europe’s competitiveness and Latvia’s opportunities in a changing global economy.
Four key themes:
POWER — Geopolitics, trade, economic security and supply chains
SCALE — Investment, capital, growth and global competitiveness
ENERGY — Energy security, costs, transition and industrial competitiveness
PRODUCTIVITY — AI, technology, innovation, skills and the future of work
The programme includes a keynote address by Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec (Ireland), a remote keynote response by MEP Ivars Ījabs, and panel discussions with business and policy representatives, including Nicolas Lepage, Canada’s Regional Senior Trade Commissioner for the Baltics.
Date:
Wednesday, November 4th, 2026
Time: 09:00–15:00 (registration and welcome coffee from 08:00)
Place: Radisson Blu Daugava Hotel, 24 Kugu iela, https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-riga
Register:
please register here（https://forms.gle/Y9V3ghJtiC1RpLX29）
Cost :
€65 per person for members of co-organising chambers (including CanCham); €80 for non-members. VAT included.
Deadline for reservations and payment is Monday, November 2nd, 2026 at 17.00 . Advance payment is required.
Program:
08:00–09:00 Registration and welcome coffee
09:00–10:10 Opening remarks, keynote address and response
10:10–10:30 Coffee break and networking
10:30–11:15 POWER panel
11:20–12:05 SCALE panel
12:05–12:30 Coffee break and networking
12:30–13:15 ENERGY panel
13:20–14:05 PRODUCTIVITY panel
14:05–14:15 Closing reflections
14:15–15:00 Networking
The forum will be followed by an AFTERPARTY in the evening. For further details, including participation fees and registration, please visit: https://cancham.lv/EVENTS/competitiveness-agenda-2026-afterparty
PROGRAMME: 08:00–09:00 | Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:00–09:05 | Opening Remarks Ilze Čakstiņa — Founder & Chairperson, Irish Latvian Chamber of Commerce. 09:05–09:15 | Opening Address Andris Kulbergs — Prime Minister of Latvia The government’s perspective on Latvia’s competitiveness and economic development priorities. 09:15–09:25 | Address Viktors Valainis — Minister of Economics of Latvia Latvia’s economic growth, investment attraction, exports and business competitiveness. 09:25–09:50 | Keynote Address Danny McCoy — Chief Executive Officer, Ibec, Ireland Europe’s Competitiveness Challenge — Can Europe Still Compete? And Where Does Latvia Fit In? 09:50–10:10 | Keynote Response Ivars Ījabs — Member of the European Parliament. Europe and Latvia: The Competitiveness Challenge
10:10–10:30 | Coffee Break & Networking
10:30–11:15 | POWER Geopolitics, Trade, Economic Security & Supply Chains How can Europe strengthen its economic resilience, safeguard strategic interests and adapt to a changing global trade environment? Panellists: • Nicolas Lepage — Regional Senior Trade Commissioner (Baltics), Canada • Māris Sprindžuks — Deputy Mayor of Riga. • Additional panellist 11:15–11:20 | Panel Transition
11:20–12:05 | SCALE Investment, Capital, Growth & Global Competitiveness What enables companies to attract investment, scale internationally and become competitive players in global markets? Panellists: • Sibilla Strupule — Investment-readiness adviser and exited founder. • Sandra Aile — Investor and supervisory board member. • Additional panellist:
12:05–12:30 | Coffee Break & Networking
12:30–13:15 | ENERGY Energy Security, Costs, Transition & Industrial Competitiveness. How can Europe balance energy security, affordability and sustainability while maintaining a competitive industrial base? Panellists: • Reinhold Schneider — CEO, SCHWENK Northern Europe; Chairperson, FICIL. • Mārtiņš Vancāns — Head of Enefit in Latvia • ORLEN representative: 13:15–13:20 | Panel Transition
13:20–14:05 | PRODUCTIVITY AI, Technology, Innovation, Skills & Future of Work How can businesses use artificial intelligence, technology and innovation to improve productivity and create sustainable growth? Panellists: • Eitaro Kojima — Japan • Pierre-Luc Stephane Brouilliez — Procurement Manager, Lexel Fabrika / Schneider