Central Baltic – Azerbaijan Business Forum took place in Riga, Latvia

On the 28th of May, 2024 the Central Baltic-Azerbaijan Business Forum convened at the National Library of Latvia in Riga, drawing approximately 70 participants from Azerbaijan, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland.

The forum brought together entrepreneurs and officials who engaged in active discussions about economic ties and cooperation opportunities among the participating countries. This event provided new perspectives for entrepreneurs and promoted international business development, particularly attracting interest from companies in the education and green technology sectors seeking to expand their activities and forge new partnerships.

The event was opened by Māris Simanovičs, Vice President of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Chairman of the Board of Eco Baltia Group, alongside Bakhtiyar Musayev, First Secretary of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Latvia. Also, Jaakko Koivusaari, Deputy Head of the Mission of the Embassy of Finland in Latvia, and Gunel Guliyeva, Director of the Caspian Energy Club International made opening speeches to welcome participants. They emphasized the significance and potential of the forum.

Līga Sičeva, Director of the EU Projects Department at the LCCI, delivered a presentation on the LEF Network Azerbaijan project. Mārtiņš Āboliņš, Economist at Bank Citadele and member of the Fiscal Discipline Council, provided insights into the economic relations between Azerbaijan and the Central Baltic States. Gunel Guliyeva introduced participants to the business environment and cooperation opportunities in Azerbaijan.

Additionally, Vija Busa, Deputy Head of Mission and Counsellor at the Latvian Embassy in Azerbaijan, presented the business opportunities between Latvia and Azerbaijan. The forum concluded with an inspiring talk by Mārtiņš Martinsons, founder of FranklinCovey Latvia and business coach, on effective leadership in an international environment, thus enhancing the leadership skills of the entrepreneurs in attendance.

The Business Forum was organized by Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Satakunta University in Finland, and the Caspian Energy Club in Azerbaijan. This event was part of the LEF Network Azerbaijan project, co-funded by the Interreg Central Baltic Programme.