On Monday, 30 June, the forum “Strengthening the European Defence Industry: an Economic Perspective”, organised by the LCCI in cooperation with the European Chamber of Commerce Eurochambres, concluded in Brussels.

This was the first forum at European level organised from a business perspective, demonstrating the need to link defence strategy to economic growth, innovation, infrastructure and human capital development. The LCCI not only participated in this event, but also took direct organisational responsibility.

Participants included representatives from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank, think tanks, leading companies and policy makers from across the EU. The opening address was delivered by Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence, who stressed the need to prepare not for “yesterday’s war” but for “tomorrow’s war” by reshaping the defence industry to meet today’s threats and economic realities.

Latvia was represented at the Forum by Aigars Rostovskis, President of the LCCI and Vice President of Eurochambres, and Katrīna Zariņa, Member of the Board of the LCCI and Director of Foreign Affairs. Both presentations highlighted the strategic role of the Baltic region and its potential to become an integral part of European defence industry supply chains.

Key takeaways from the Forum discussions:

• Interest in cooperation with the Baltic region is growing – both at political and business level.
• Concrete directions and potential projects have emerged in which Latvian businesses could be actively involved.
• Cooperation between business, the public sector and international partners is an essential prerequisite for ideas to become real development steps.

Aigars Rostovskis, President of the LCCI, emphasised: “Our goal was not only to be heard, but to initiate a movement. Today it has begun.”

The launch has begun, and the CCI will continue to engage in discussions and practical cooperation to ensure that Latvian entrepreneurs have a place in the future European defence economy.