PBLA Successfully Hosts “Latvia in Focus” Forum in Helsinki, Attracting Diaspora Entrepreneurs
At the end of April, the World Federation of Free Latvians (PBLA) held the “Latvia in Focus” business forum in Helsinki, bringing together around 60 Latvian diaspora entrepreneurs, professionals, and students to strengthen ties with Latvia.
The World Federation of Free Latvians (PBLA) successfully conducted the “Latvia in Focus” business forum in Helsinki in late April. The event aimed to foster cooperation between Latvian diaspora entrepreneurs and Latvia, while expanding networks within the Nordic region.
The forum featured addresses from representatives of PBLA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Latvian Ambassador to Finland Dace Treija-Mase and PBLA President Pēteris Blumbergs. Presentations covered Latvia's economic outlook, geopolitical challenges—particularly disinformation risks during an election year—and the era of artificial intelligence.
Discussions centered on diaspora business collaboration and support instruments offered by Latvian institutions such as the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) and the State Employment Agency to facilitate cross-border business. Participants also explored remote cooperation between entrepreneurs and students, cultural diplomacy, and the Latvia-Finland partnership.
Networking sessions complemented the formal program. The forum was organized by PBLA in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, LIAA, and the Latvian Exporters Association “The Red Jackets”. Local support came from the Latvian Embassy in Finland and the local Latvian society “Laivas”.
Mārīte Kļaviņa, PBLA Vice President and main organizer, emphasized that these forums purposefully connect not only diaspora entrepreneurs but also local community members who may not have known each other before. She noted that an casual conversation during coffee breaks could spark a concrete business project.
This was the sixth such event for diaspora entrepreneurs. The first two forums took place in Frankfurt and London in 2022, followed by Stockholm, Amsterdam, and Paris in 2024. This year, events are planned in Helsinki, Geneva (Switzerland), and Melbourne (Australia).
“Latvia in Focus” is a smaller-scale informational and networking initiative, held in years when the larger World Latvian Economic and Innovation Forum is not organized.
