THE COMPETITIVENESS AGENDA 2026

THE COMPETITIVENESS AGENDA 2026
18.10.2026


Please Register Here 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
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 Electric. • Guntis Kalniņš — AI Master Lab (proposed panellist) 14:05–14:15 \| Closing Reflections Ansis Bogustovs — Moderator 14:15–15:00 \| Networking PANEL FORMAT Each thematic panel will include a 30-minute moderated discussion followed by 15 minutes of audience Q&A. Five-minute transitions are scheduled between panels where indicated.
Can Europe Still Compete? And Where Does Latvia Fit In? Europe’s competitiveness. Latvia’s opportunities. Business perspectives. Europe is facing profound economic and geopolitical change. Global trade patterns are shifting, energy costs remain a critical factor for industry, access to capital is essential for growth, and artificial intelligence is transforming the way businesses operate. Against this backdrop, one question matters more than ever: Can Europe remain competitive — and what role can Latvia play in shaping its economic future? The Competitiveness Agenda 2026 is an international business forum bringing together business leaders, policymakers, investors and international experts to examine the challenges and opportunities shaping Europe’s competitiveness. Through keynote contributions and four focused panel discussions, the forum will explore how businesses and policymakers can strengthen economic security, attract investment, improve energy competitiveness and use technology to drive productivity. The aim is to encourage meaningful dialogue, share international perspectives and build connections that can lead to new business opportunities and stronger cross-border cooperation. Four dimensions of competitiveness: POWER — Geopolitics, Trade, Economic Security & Supply Chains How can Europe strengthen its economic resilience, protect strategic interests and respond to changes in global trade? This discussion will explore the role of economic security, international trade and resilient supply chains in maintaining competitiveness. SCALE — Investment, Capital, Growth & Global Competitiveness What enables companies to attract investment, expand internationally and become competitive players in global markets? This panel will examine growth capital, investment readiness, international partnerships and the conditions that help businesses scale. ENERGY — Energy Security, Costs, Transition & Industrial Competitiveness How can Europe balance energy security, affordability and the transition to a more sustainable economy? The discussion will focus on energy costs, security of supply and the impact of energy policy on industrial competitiveness. PRODUCTIVITY — AI, Technology, Innovation, Skills & the Future of Work How can businesses turn artificial intelligence, technology and innovation into measurable productivity gains? This panel will explore the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation, skills development and the future of work. Why attend? The Competitiveness Agenda 2026 offers participants the opportunity to: Gain international perspectives on Europe’s economic and competitive position. Explore practical business challenges related to investment, energy, trade and productivity. Hear different perspectives from business leaders, policymakers and international experts. Connect with Latvian and international companies, investors and business organisations. Identify opportunities for collaboration, market development and cross-border partnerships. Who should attend? The forum is designed for CEOs, founders, senior executives, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, international companies, trade organisations and professionals working across technology, energy, finance and industry. It will also be relevant to companies considering international expansion and organisations seeking to strengthen business links across European and global markets.
The forum provides an opportunity to exchange perspectives, make new business contacts and explore international partnerships. We encourage CanCham members and friends to participate. We look forward to seeing you there.

Yours Sincerely, Ed Kalvins, Chairman

Please note: Photography Notice: Please note that this event may be photographed, and images may be published on social media platforms and websites as part of event reports. If you do not wish your photograph to appear in public communications, please indicate this in the notes section of your registration form. Privacy & GDPR Notice: In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), effective May 25, 2018, please review our Privacy and Personal Data Policy: http://cancham.lv/about-cancham/privacy-and-personal-data-policy You are receiving this invitation because you are a current or former member of CanCham, have expressed interest in CanCham activities, or have been recommended by contacts within our network. You may unsubscribe at any time via the footer of our emails or by contacting info@cancham.lv. Continued receipt of our communications implies acceptance of this policy.