Dear DCC member and friends.
Invitation to:
The Competitiveness Agenda 2026 – How to Stay Competitive in a Changing Europe,
CAN EUROPE STILL COMPETE? AND WHERE DOES LATVIA FIT IN?
Date: 4 November 2026
Time: 09:00–15:00
Venue: Radisson Blu Daugava Hotel, Riga, Latvia, Room: Daugava
ABOUT THE FORUM
Europe’s competitiveness is being challenged by geopolitical uncertainty, changing global
trade patterns, energy costs, investment needs and rapid technological transformation.
The Competitiveness Agenda 2026 will bring together policymakers, business leaders and
international experts to discuss how Europe can remain competitive and what Latvia can do
to strengthen its position.
The programme focuses on four key areas: POWER, SCALE, ENERGY and PRODUCTIVITY.
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.
ORGANISERS
The forum is initiated by the Irish Latvian Chamber of Commerce (ILCC), together with the
Swiss, Danish, Polish and Finnish Chambers of Commerce, the French Business Club, and
the Arab and Turkish Chambers of Commerce, with the involvement of the Austrian and
Japanese embassies.
REGISTRATION
Registration ends: 12:00 on 28 October.
Registration on email to dcc@dcc.lv
Participation fees are:
• Members of the co-organising chambers: €65 per person, including VAT
• Non-members: €80 per person, including VAT
This fee includes four catering services during the event: the coffee breaks and other scheduled refreshments. Please note that lunch is not served and included in the forum programme.
AFTERPARTY | 4 November 2026, 19:00
Hotel Islande, 9th-floor restaurant | With the support of BDO Latvia
- Members: €55 per person, including VAT
- Non-members: €70 per person, including VAT
Registration ends: 12 o’clock on 28 October
Registration on mail to dcc@dcc.lv
