The first Norwegian Culture Week Celebrates Norwegian Investments in Latvia

With a diverse program for Norwegian investors, business associates, entrepreneurs, students and other interested parties, the first Norwegian Culture Week has concluded in Latvia with 12 widely attended events, which were organized with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation between Norway and Latvia in business, culture and education.

The Norwegian Culture Week ended on May 17 with the World Ice-Hockey Championship match between Norway and Latvia and the Celebration of the Norwegian Constitution Day. The Norwegian Culture Week was organized by the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce in Latvia (NCCL) in cooperation with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Latvia, Latvia’s Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) and several NCCL member companies.

"In the field of investment attraction, Norway is among the 10 largest foreign investors in Latvia. In 2022, Norway together with Germany ranked first in terms of the number of investment projects attracted to Latvia (6). On the other hand, Norway is one of the fastest growing Latvian export markets with a positive trade balance. In 2022, the total amount of exports to Norway was estimated at around 631.9 million euros, demonstrating 33% increase compared to the previous year. We highly appreciate our Norwegian partners and the fact that Latvia has been chosen as a destination by a number of internationally-known Norwegian companies - Linstow, Orkla, Visma, DNB, Norwegian Air, Atea Global Services, Livonia Print, Møller Mobility Group and many others. This is a clear signal that Latvia has an attractive investment environment that is able to provide all the necessary conditions for companies looking for expansion opportunities," emphasizes LIAA Director Kaspars Rožkalns.

In total, around 250 Norwegian companies operate in Latvia with Norwegian capital, providing more than 6,000 jobs. According to Lursoft, the total turnover of these companies exceeded 1.3 billion euros in 2021.

"May is a very special month both for Latvia and Norway. While Latvia celebrates her Independence Restoration Day on May 4th, Norwegians mark their Constitution on May 17th. This year, the May 17th Celebration was a little extra special, as it coincided with Norway competing with Latvia at the 2023 IIHF World Ice-Hockey Championship in Riga. Building up to this date, NCCL together with its closest partners offered a rich and diverse culture and business programme in Latvia, which was attended by close to 1000 participants, including leading Norwegian investors, company managers and employees, closest partners, and friends of Norway. The high participation proves not only the close bilateral cultural and business ties between the two countries, but also demonstrates a great interest in even closer cooperation in the future," says Ilze Garoza, Executive Director of NCCL, thanking all co-organizers, supporters, and attendees of the many events throughout the week.

The first Norwegian Culture and Business Week in Latvia took place from May 10th to 17th. During the week, 12 events took place, including NCCL Brain Games, organized in close cooperation with DNB Service Centre and with the support of Norwegian Embassy and Orkla Latvija, screenings of Norwegian movies at K Suns, art show at the Norwegian Ambassadors residence, webinar on Norwegian Business Culture, and a free Norwegian language class, provided by the “House of Languages”. During the Norwegian Culture Week several business meetings were held, including with the Director of Latvia’s Investment and Development Agency and the Mayor of Riga Mārtiņš Staķis, who is scheduled to visit Oslo on May 21 and 22. The Culture Week ended on a high note with the watching of the Norway and Latvia Ice-Hockey game and May 17th Celebration at Tallinas kvartāls.

Check out the gallery of pictures from the various events!