Northern European Business Association

28/04/2026

24/04/2026

Report on CanCham’s “Expanding Horizons: Canada–Latvia Business Opportunities & Strategic Partnerships” Event

On Monday, April 13, 2026, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Latvia (CanCham) hosted its “Expanding Horizons: Canada–Latvia Business Opportunities & Strategic Partnerships” event at the Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel in Riga. The evening brought together members of the Canadian and Latvian business community, representatives of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and other stakeholders interested in strengthening economic cooperation between Canada and Latvia.

The event began with a welcome and opening remarks from Ed Kalvins, Chairman of CanCham, who outlined the purpose of the evening—to expand awareness of business opportunities between Canada and Latvia and to promote structured cooperation through CanCham initiatives. The formal program featured two presentations, followed by a Q&A session and informal networking.

Nicolas Lepage, Canadian Senior Trade Commissioner for Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, delivered the first presentation, providing an overview of Canada’s trade relationship with the Baltic region. He highlighted the role of the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in supporting Canadian companies—particularly SMEs and startups—in international markets by offering market intelligence, connections, and problem-solving support. He emphasized the importance of trade diversification for Canada, noting the country’s continued reliance on the United States market and the strategic objective to expand non-U.S. exports. Within this context, he identified key sectors of opportunity in the Baltic region, including defence procurement, energy and renewables, digital technologies, and academic cooperation. He also noted Canada’s growing presence in the Baltics, including its military deployment in Latvia through 2029, as a driver of increased commercial engagement and partnership opportunities.

Ed Kalvins followed with a presentation on CanCham’s Strategic Partnership Initiative (SPI), focusing on its practical implementation as a tool to connect Canadian and Latvian businesses. He explained that the SPI is designed to facilitate structured matchmaking between companies through a coordinated approach involving dedicated coordinators, a growing database of companies and capabilities, and ongoing communication platforms. The initiative promotes Northeastern Europe as an integrated business region for Canadians, and provides a framework for companies to explore market entry, partnerships, and joint ventures with Latvian entrepreneurs and businesses that have sales organizations throughout the region. Particular attention was given to priority sectors such as defence, construction, IT, logistics, and food products. Ed emphasized the importance of relationship-building, targeted outreach, and clear communication from members, including the preparation of “sell sheets” and designation of primary contacts to support effective engagement.

The Q&A session generated active discussion, including requests for follow-up actions such as sharing the list of attendees and developing case studies of successful market entry experiences. Participants also discussed the need for continued collaboration between CanCham members, SPI coordinators in both Latvia and Canada, and the broader business community to identify and pursue concrete opportunities. The importance of tracking outcomes—particularly contracts and business generated through CanCham initiatives and procurement seminars—was also highlighted.

The event concluded with informal networking, providing attendees with the opportunity to introduce themselves, exchange ideas, and explore potential partnerships. Participants represented a wide range of sectors, including defence, construction, IT, logistics, and professional services, reflecting the diverse opportunities for cooperation between Canada and Latvia.

You are invited to review the CanCham brochure (https://cancham.lv/about-cancham/brochure) which describes important information about the CanCham and our upcoming events (https://cancham.lv/EVENTS/upcoming-events-list), and please follow https://cancham.lv/ for the latest news and event updates.

24/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1254060210225016&type=3

Report on the CanCham Corner – Toronto, Canada

On Friday, April 10th, 2026, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Latvia (CanCham Latvia) held a CanCham Corner networking event at JOEY Don Mills in North York, Toronto. This informal gathering formed part of CanCham’s ongoing outreach efforts in Canada, aimed at strengthening connections with Canadian companies and promoting business opportunities in Northeastern Europe through Latvia.

The event was attended by Ed Kalvins, Chairman of CanCham Latvia, along with several Strategic Partnership Initiative (SPI) Canadian Coordinators, including Andris Ķesteris, Head of the Baltic Canadian Council and Canadian member of the CanCham Board of Directors; Susan Mogensen of Canadian-Baltic Gateways & Brown Dog Consulting; Karen Verbeek of BaltiCanada; and Aira Darzins of ARD Trading. The gathering also welcomed representatives of Canadian companies and organizations interested in doing business in Latvia and the broader region, including current and former members of CanCham.

During the event, participants discussed various approaches to engaging with business in Latvia and across Northeastern Europe. The Strategic Partnership Initiative (SPI) concept was presented and explained, highlighting its role in facilitating partnerships between Canadian and Latvian companies. CanCham’s role as a platform for business networking and market entry support was also outlined, emphasizing its position as the only Canadian chamber operating in this region and its ability to connect businesses with local partners.

The discussions provided valuable insights into market opportunities and practical pathways for collaboration. As a result of these exchanges, a clear way forward was established for those attending, with follow-up actions anticipated to further develop business relationships and support Canadian companies exploring entry into the European market via Latvia.

This CanCham Corner event successfully reinforced CanCham Latvia’s commitment to building transatlantic business connections and advancing its Strategic Partnership Initiative.

You are invited to review the CanCham brochure https://cancham.lv/about-cancham/brochure which describes important information about the CanCham and our upcoming events https://cancham.lv/EVENTS/upcoming-events-list, and please follow https://cancham.lv/ for the latest news and event updates.

17/06/2025

12.06.2025 Report on Canada: new government, renewed priorities. An update with H.E. Brian Szwarc, Ambassador of Canada to Latvia.

Report on Canada: new government, renewed priorities.

The event titled “Canada: new government, renewed priorities. An update with H.E. Brian Szwarc, Ambassador of Canada to Latvia” took place on Monday, June 9th, 2025 at the Pullman Riga Old Town Hotel.

Over the last few months, Canada has witnessed many political changes. These started with the implementation of the Trump tariffs earlier this year, then the resignation of then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, followed by the Canadian general elections on April 28th, 2025 with the re-election of a minority Liberal government headed by a new Prime Minister, Mark Carney.

Given the current geopolitical context, many questions were being raised. For us in Latvia, how will this affect Latvia? Will deteriorating conditions between the US and Canada provide incentives for Canadians to consider the EU to diversify commercial activities in our direction? Will the pressure on NATO spending affect us? And may more questions come to mind.

On May 27th, King Charles III delivered the Speech from the Throne which outlined the government's legislative agenda and priorities for the upcoming parliamentary session.

Ambassador Szwarc provided an update on the new Government’s composition and shared an overview of the key points raised in the Throne Speech. The following are the main effects related to Latvia:

Canada continues its NATO commitment by the Canadian Armed Forces leading Task Force Latvia as the top priority. Increased Canadian defense spending assures support of Task Force Latvia and Latvian security.
The development of stronger commercial and trade relations between Canada and Latvia is now the second priority of the Embassy. This recognizes that the US is still Canada’s most important trading partner, but also acknowledges the need for Canadian businesses to diversify in response to the Trump administration’s economic policies related to Canada.

Ed Kalvins noted that CanCham’s newly introduced strategy on the development of strategic partnerships is aimed at enhancing our engagement with Canadian companies, even those reluctant to committing resources to the Northern European market. This strategy will be promoted in the coming months. This could also facilitate Latvian companies wishing to enter the Canadian market to develop strategic partnerships with Canadian companies.

Ed Kalvins,
Chairman,
Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Latvia

17/06/2025

Canadian Developments:

12.06.2025 Report on Canada: new government, renewed priorities. An update with H.E. Brian Szwarc, Ambassador of Canada to Latvia.

Report on Canada: new government, renewed priorities.

The event titled “Canada: new government, renewed priorities. An update with H.E. Brian Szwarc, Ambassador of Canada to Latvia” took place on Monday, June 9th, 2025 at the Pullman Riga Old Town Hotel.

Over the last few months, Canada has witnessed many political changes. These started with the implementation of the Trump tariffs earlier this year, then the resignation of then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, followed by the Canadian general elections on April 28th, 2025 with the re-election of a minority Liberal government headed by a new Prime Minister, Mark Carney.

Given the current geopolitical context, many questions were being raised. For us in Latvia, how will this affect Latvia? Will deteriorating conditions between the US and Canada provide incentives for Canadians to consider the EU to diversify commercial activities in our direction? Will the pressure on NATO spending affect us? And may more questions come to mind.

On May 27th, King Charles III delivered the Speech from the Throne which outlined the government's legislative agenda and priorities for the upcoming parliamentary session.

Ambassador Szwarc provided an update on the new Government’s composition and shared an overview of the key points raised in the Throne Speech. The following are the main effects related to Latvia:

Canada continues its NATO commitment by the Canadian Armed Forces leading Task Force Latvia as the top priority. Increased Canadian defense spending assures support of Task Force Latvia and Latvian security.
The development of stronger commercial and trade relations between Canada and Latvia is now the second priority of the Embassy. This recognizes that the US is still Canada’s most important trading partner, but also acknowledges the need for Canadian businesses to diversify in response to the Trump administration’s economic policies related to Canada.

Ed Kalvins noted that CanCham’s newly introduced strategy on the development of strategic partnerships is aimed at enhancing our engagement with Canadian companies, even those reluctant to committing resources to the Northern European market. This strategy will be promoted in the coming months. This could also facilitate Latvian companies wishing to enter the Canadian market to develop strategic partnerships with Canadian companies.

Ed Kalvins,
Chairman,
Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Latvia

28/03/2025

Report on Business Networking Luncheon with Dr. Jonathan Calof
“Mobilizing for Trade and Trade Shows”

This Business Networking Luncheon with Dr. Jonathan Calof on the subject of “Mobilizing for Trade and Trade Shows” took place on Wednesday, March 26th, 2025, at the Radisson Elizabete Hotel.

Dr. Calof of the University of Ottawa was in Riga to present a mini-course on “Preparing for Foreign Trade Show Participation with Competitive Intelligence” at the Riga Business School on Thursday, March 27th, 2025. See https://rbs.lv/lift-courses/trade-shows/. He is a renowned expert in intelligence and foresight and helps organizations anticipate future trends and develop innovative strategies. As a professor and consultant, he combines academic research with practical application to drive business success.

Dr. Calof joined us for this luncheon to provide insight into his course and accumulated experience. The main take-away from his presentation was the importance of personal contact and developing personal relationships with those in the business community in order to understand the business environment and the people we are working with, and taking advantage information gathering at trade shows and even social events.

This luncheon also provided those interested in export opportunities and/or working with Canadians wishing to do business in Latvia to come together to start a process of engagement with the CanCham to develop business opportunities and strategic partnerships between Canada and Latvia. As Trump terrorizes the international community with tariffs, CETA, the free trade agreement between Canada and the EU, promotes the development of alternative trade and business relationships. We need to take advantage to this.

Dr Calof was asked about CanCham’s approach of developing strategic partnerships not only between businesspeople but also between businesses in either Canada or Latvia that are interested in accessing the other’s markets. In the latter case it was recognized that Latvian companies have experience in the European market, while Canadian ones have experience in North America. By partnering with organization with similar profiles, each partner can benefit from an expanded market and an increased range of products and services. This approach was endorsed by Dr Calof who recognized that such a strategy is consistent with the establishment of personal relationships he promotes as part of competitive intelligence. This validates CanCham’s emphasis on in-person networking and the exchange of information in in-person events.

We were also pleased to welcome Capt. Tanvir Suri and WO Emir Islamagic of the Canadian Armed Forces who have recently become our new main contacts with Task Force Latvia. We continue to build a great working relationship between the CAF and CanCham as Canada continues to play a vital role in protecting Latvia’s security. The CanCham is committed to supporting the CAF in any way possible.

A big thanks goes to Zanda Vipule and Paula Elksne- Reveliņa of our member, the Riga Business School, who arranged for Dr Calof’s participation in our business networking luncheon. Dr Calof is planning to expand the programs offered to the RBS, and we look forward to continued engagement with both Dr Calof and the RBS.

Ed Kalvins,
Chairman,
Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Latvia

You are invited to review the CanCham brochure https://cancham.lv/about-cancham/brochure which describes important information about the CanCham and our upcoming events https://cancham.lv/EVENTS/upcoming-events-list, and please follow https://cancham.lv/ for the latest news and event updates.

05/03/2025

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Latvia’s (CanCham) Procurement Seminar & Luncheon on “How to supply goods and services to the Canadian Armed Forces in Latvia” took place on Thursday, February 27th, 2025 at the Radisson Blu Daugava Hotel, with over 70 participants attending the event.

Canada has made a crucial commitment to Latvia’s security. Op REASSURANCE is currently the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) largest overseas military deployment, through which the CAF contributes to NATO deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe. Under this mission, Canada is the Framework nation of the NATO multinational brigade Latvia.

Task Force Latvia (TFL) is the National Command Element that ensures the success of the Canadian contribution to NATO in Latvia. This involves investing in military infrastructure and coordinating various aspects needed to support this effort through local procurement.

The objective of the event was to introduce members of TFL involved in projects and/or procurement to CanCham members and friends, to explain individual parties’ responsibilities and how they operate, to develop personal contacts, and to understand the overall environment that we are working in.

Highly appreciated by all, event participants were given an opportunity to introduce themselves and their organizations individually to help identify potential business partners with whom to network with after the formal presentations.

H.E. Brian Szwarc, Ambassador of Canada to Latvia, provided an overall review of the Canadian contribution to TFL and the continued commitment of Canada to the security in Latvia and the Baltic region.

The CAF was well represented, with two of its members serving as speakers to this event:
• Major Patrick Dornan – Officer Commanding, Canadian Contracts Management Cell (CMC), National Support Element presented “Building Relationships Through Capability: Contracting with the Canadian Armed Forces in Latvia”, which described how Latvian companies can become part of the TFL supplier system and
• Major Joe Nocq-MacRae – Joint Engineer (JEngr) Officer, Task Force Latvia Headquarters presented “TFL Engineer/Future Infrastructure Brief”, which described work that has been done to date and plans for the coming years.
Both emphasized the need to develop close ties to the local Latvian business community who could support the work of TFL and to engage directly with them in order to make the Latvian companies capabilities known to TFL.

These presentations and contact information are made available to event participants.

Ed Kalvins then summarized the workings and set-up of the CanCham, and how CanCham members can be a part of and assist TFL’s efforts, and stated that the CanCham is available to support the effort whenever required.

As always, time was short and many questions remained unanswered, but it was emphasized that this was only the beginning of the cooperation process between CanCham and TFL, and that other events will take place during the year which will supplement this cooperation. We intend to repeat this event on an annual basis.

Ed Kalvins,
Chairman,
Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Latvia

06/02/2025

14/12/2024

CanCham Christmas 2024

Over fifty members and friends attended CanCham Christmas 2024 on December 9th, 2024 at the Pullman Riga Old Town Hotel (www.pullmanrigaoldtown.lv/). Christmas is a very special time of year for getting together. We at CanCham value the chance to meet friends and business colleagues in sharing the spirit of the season, some entertainment, a buffet dinner, and build on the new relationships established during the past year. We were particularly pleased to have a strong contingent from the Canadian Armed Forces sharing in this special event. They are part of Task Force Latvia helping preserve security in this region. We welcome them to Latvia.

The entertainment, sponsored by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Latvia, and was provided by Armands Lozinskis – Lūsis. A lively and resounding presentation of popular and Christmas songs was supplemented by a slide presentation exhibiting scenes from Indra Sproģe-Kalviņa’s photographic collection. Indra also provided all guests with her home-baked maple leaf gingerbread cookies when leaving the event.

The dinner and entertainment was followed by a lottery featuring gifts provided by CanCham members and friends, with Kristīne Vintere, the Sales Director of the Pullman, assisting with the lottery. Gift donors present at the event were asked to draw the winners. This turned out to be a fun event where almost all those present came away with at least a small token Christmas present.

We wish all our members and friends a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and look forward to an active 2025.

Please follow http://cancham.lv/news for updates.