Forum for the Future of Wood Industry “From Forest to Global Market: How to Add Additional Energy to Latvia’s Economic Engine?”

The Forum for the Future of Wood Industry is organised by Stiga RM, one of Latvia’s leading timber companies, in collaboration with the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia (LDDK). Keynote speakers at the event will be Minister for Economics of the Republic of Latvia Viktors Valainis, Director of The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) Ieva Jāgere, Luminor bank Economist, Pēteris Strautiņš, as well as the mayors of Cēsis and Ogre municipalities, representatives of banks and timber industry. Participants can follow the forum live on LETA and Delfi, as well as on Stiga RM Facebook page. The forum starts at 10.00.

During the second Forum for the Future of Wood Industry, experts will discuss:

• development of a high-added value business in Latvia;
• local investors as an asset for Latvia’s economic development;
• the role of large companies in regional development;
• financial health of companies and its role in attracting investment.

“A year ago, when I opened the first Forum for the Future of Wood Industry, I shared my vision for the future of the industry – we need to focus on the production of high value-added products in Latvia that have high export potential and worldwide demand. Over the year, as I have observed the situation in the industry, my conviction has only strengthened. The only way to succeed is to invest in high value-added production. I am glad that my words have reached many of you and this year we have the opportunity to gather an even wider circle of experts and continue the discussion on how to better overcome the current challenges and move towards the future development of the industry,” says Andris Ramoliņš, Owner and Chairman of the Board at Stiga RM.

About Stiga RM:

Stiga RM is a family company from Tukums, founded in 1994 with the goal of protecting Latvia’s prosperity through responsible forest management. On more than 11,000 hectares of land, most of which is comprised of woodlands, the company carries out the full cycle of forest management based on the sustainable principles of forest management. Stiga RM’s factory in Kuldīga produces birch plywood from high-quality Latvian birch wood. The world’s most advanced production facility of Wood Wool Cement Board (WWCB) is currently under construction in Tukums. The company also offers roundwood transportation services, providing the largest fleet of log trucks in the Baltic and Scandinavian countries.

About the LDDK:

The Employers’ Confederation of Latvia (LDDK) is the largest employers’ organisation in Latvia. Since 1993, LDDK has been representing the interests of employers in social dialogue with the state and trade unions, advising and recommending actions that can help the growth of business, the economy and, therefore, society. The organisation brings together 158 business members, as well as business associations and federations representing different sectors and regions.