PwC’s Academy is launching two new webinar series: ESG Academy and Digital Academy.

PwC’s Academy is launching two new webinar series: ESG Academy and Digital Academy.

PwC’s ESG Academy Latvija: Modern business leaders work sustainably, integrating social, environmental, economic and ethical factors into their business strategy. They recognise that engaging with all stakeholders – suppliers, customers, employees, shareholders and government agencies – is key to sustainable performance. The 3 webinars’ cycle will provide you with guidance on where to start, how to develop and improve sustainable practices in your companies.

Learn more and sign up here.

PwC’s Digital Academy Latvija: When it comes to doing accounting or any other tasks where data processing takes a long time and where repetitive or similar actions and processes need to be performed regularly, it’s important to use tools that minimise manual work. Theoretical knowledge isn’t enough to extract, aggregate and analyse data from various external data sources and files stored on computer. That’s why under the guidance of PwC’s Digital Academy Latvia lecturer Artis Vizbelis we’ve developed a practical training programme that addresses situations and tasks with real examples from the perspective of everyday work.

Learn more and sign up here.

Dinari Jewels Joins BritCham as a Corporate Member

Loved by global celebrities and complimented by leading publications such as Forbes, Fortune, Vogue, etc. Dinari Jewels is an award winning jewellery brand for stylish women looking to elevate their looks with unique modern designs with a fashion-forward aesthetic.

Dinari Jewels also offers fine jewellery bespoke service to create extraordinary jewellery masterpieces for individuals which resonate their personal style, stories, passion, achievements & occasions.

To find out more visit Dinari Jewels.

Dinari Jewels on Instagram.

BritCham welcomes our new member!

UK Government Energy Saving Tips

This winter has been pretty rough and cold, and taking into account the increase of high, unexpected inflation, United Kingdom Government has energy saving tips to save money.

There are free, quick fix actions that you can take to immediately reduce the amount of energy you use.

Some of the tips and tricks how to save energy and money:

– Turning your combi boiler flow temperature down to 60°C could save you up to £100 a year

– Turning down radiators in rooms you aren’t using or use less could save you up to £70 a year

– Turning appliances off at the socket could save you up to £70 a year

– Washing clothes at a lower temperature could save you up to £40 a year

– Closing all your curtains and blinds at night

Government is saving households £1,300 on their energy bills this winter through the Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bill Support Scheme. There are lots of things you can do at home, from easy no cost actions to bigger investments, that could save you hundreds more.

Christmas Charity Campaign 2022

BritCham Charity Fund is continuing it’s support to Allaži Crisis Centre (Allažu bērnu un ģimenes atbalsta centrs), and for this year’s Christmas Charity Campaign we seek your support to help them set up a Sensory Room.

ALLAŽI CRISIS CENTRE

Allaži Crisis Centre is one of the few State institutions in Latvia, which provides social rehabilitation services for minors who have suffered from illegal activities, and for their family members. They especially focus on victims of violence. More often than not the children they take in have severe social, emotional and mental health difficulties that sometimes manifest as violent outbursts. The team at the Centre try to help and take care of society’s most vulnerable and neglected minors, and they work hard to create a safe space for them as they attempt to rebuild their lives and mental health.

WHAT IS A SENSORY ROOM?

A sensory room is a specially designed room which combines safe environment with a range of stimuli to help individuals to calm themselves, to develop and engage their senses and to build up their confidence. At Allaži Crisis Centre such rooms are necessary when their distraught charges need to safely release their fear and pain without hurting themselves and others. This project is directly tied to a project from 2021 when BritCham Charity Fund sponsored an exchange programme between Allaži Crisis Centre and Mulberry Bush School (UK). The sensory rooms is one of the practical tools that the Centre is now implementing based on the knowledge gained at the Mulberry Bush School.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Right now the most pressing need and the biggest expense are mattresses to pad the walls and floor (70m²) so the children cannot hurt themselves. A priority is also buying a few bean bags to have soft and comfortable places to sit or lie down in the room. The team at Allaži would also like a TV and sound system built in the walls of the room to play soothing videos and sounds. Next step would be acquiring various sensory toys (kneadable, squeezable etc.) and specialized furniture.

We plan to purchase as many items as the Fund can cover at the moment, and we would be extremely grateful, if you would consider contributing to the campaign, so we all together can bring the Allaži team’s dream of a sensory room as close to reality as possible. As we will be ordering all items for Allaži at the beginning of the new year, the deadline for the campaign is Monday 2 January 2023.

If you would like to contribute to the campaign, we will be grateful for your donations to BritCham Charity Fund, noting ‘Christmas campaign’:

“BritCham Labdarības fonds”
Registration No: 40008245477
IBAN: LV19HABA0551041265900
Swedbank | Swift Code: HABALV22

Thank you for your time and consideration!

FICIL Investment Protection work group meeting

On December 14, FICIL Investment Protection work group continued its annual tradition and met with the Advisers to the President of Latvia in Riga Castle.

Work group members met with Ms. Laila Jurcāne Deputy Head of the Chancery, Ms. Ieva Ilvesa Information and Digital Policy Adviser, Ms. Alise Pīka-Ozola Economic Policy Adviser, and Ms. Anna Karmena Singha, Legal Adviser to the Chancery.

After short introduction and highlighting FICIL priorities the discussion focused on recommendations related to quality of legislation, court efficiency and digitalisation, public procurement, and fair competition.

More information about the work group meeting.

Signet Bank Market Review 11/2022

Signet Bank has published their monthly Market Review for November 2022.

October’s good mood did not disappear in November, as equity indices continued their steady advancement, while US dollar and benchmark yields retreated. It is possible that market participants are betting on the point of maximum pessimism being already behind us, as inflationary pace has somewhat slowed and politicians and bankers have started talking about reducing the speed of interest rate hikes. Moreover, expectations rise that the upcoming recession will either be avoided, or will prove to be short-lived and mild and will not provoke a significant rise in unemployment or a sharp drop in demand, and recently announced stuff cuts by such giants as Amazon, Meta, Google and Twitter will not spoil the party.

Read full Market Review November 2022 here.

Visit of UK Offshore Wind Energy sector Trade Mission

On Wednesday 23 November BritCham Platinum members and Board were invited to join Lunch Reception for UK Offshore Wind Energy sector Trade Mission hosted by the British Ambassador Mr Paul Brummell at Radisson Blu Rīdzene Hotel.

The topic of the Reception was all about green energy as the Department for International Trade was receiving a trade mission for UK renewable energy supply chain companies and organisations. The participants included developers, investors and consulting firms involved in offshore wind energy sector, which made it a great Reception towards sustainability and growing green together!

We would like to thank the Ambassador Mr Paul Brummell for the invitation!

Photos from the event are available here.

The Professional MBA at Riga Business School

Advance your career by joining the leaders’ community!

There are 2 weeks left (by December 5) to apply for your Professional MBA at Riga Business school.

The Professional MBA at Riga Business School is designed for high-performing managers who lead teams and transform businesses in a technology-based world.

How to apply?

STEP 1 – Take the English Proficiency Test

Students must pass an international language exam to demonstrate their English proficiency. This can be an EduSynch, TOEFL ITP, TOEFL iBT or IELTS. English testing is not necessary if your undergraduate or graduate studies were done in an English-speaking country (or from SSE and RGSL), or if English is your native language.

RBS has found that the EduSynch test is the most convenient if you don’t already have other test results on hand. The test fee is 30 EUR, and it’s completed online. You can register for the EduSynch test by contacting the RBS Information Center at: +371 67089800/ info@rbs.lv

STEP 2 – Submit your application and fill out the application form!

Before starting your application, make sure that you have prepared the following:

● Copy of Bachelor’s degree diploma and it’s attachment;
● English Proficiency test results, if you take EduSynch, TOEFL, IELTS;
● Copy of your passport or ID;
● Photograph;
● CV;
● Proof of bank transfer of application fee

Fill out the application form.

STEP 3 – Receive an invitation to an interview.

The RBS Board of Admissions will evaluate your application for Professional MBA studies and will invite you for an interview.

STEP 4 – Receive admission decision

The admission decision will be announced on December 19, 2022. You must sign a study agreement by January 6, 2023.

STEP 5 – Start your studies

The Spring Semester 2023 starts in JANUARY 2023.

More information about the Degree.

FICIL Work Group Changes

After this years High Council meeting, FICIL is remodeling the work group set-up to highlight topics that are currently most pressing for FICIL members.

This is also aligned with the new FICIL Strategy and priority areas that will bring more benefit to the investment environment of Latvia as a whole. These topics have been emphasised by members during Sentiment Index research, work group discussions, as well as have been pointed out by various institutions and international organisations as pressing matters for the business environment of Latvia.

FICIL will now hold 6 main work groups that will meet on a regular basis, with additional sub-groups that will be called on an ad-hoc basis.

NEW WORK GROUP SET-UP

Energy & Green Economy WG
Data & Digital Transformation WG
Public Sector Reform WG
Labour force & Re-qualification WG
Shadow Economy Combatting WG
Investment Protection WG

Please register for the work groups that are of interest to you and invite other representatives of your company to register as well. Invitation to sub-group meetings will be sent to all registered participants for the specific main group and they can choose to attend based on pre-prepared agendas.

Register for FICIL Work Group here.

You will find a detailed layout of the main work group priorities and sub-groups in the attached file. If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact FICIL Policy Expert, Roberts Alhimionoks (Roberts.Alhimionoks@ficil.lv). We will be happy to discuss any of the work groups in more detail and assist in any manner necessary.

More information on the FICIL Work Groups is available here.

Commonwealth Service of Remembrance

The Commonwealth Service of Remembrance will take place on Saturday 12 November at 10:40 in the Forest Cemetery in Jelgava. Arrival from 10:30.

The British Ambassador Mr Paul Brummell and Defence Attaché Lieutenant Commander Mark Page will lay a wreath on behalf of His Majesty The King. They will be followed by other Commonwealth and Latvian government representatives, military and Jelgava Municipality.

Please note that flower laying will take place in two locations thus two wreaths or flower bouquets are recommended. Warm soup will be served immediately after the Service.

Directions: The Cemetery is a small plot within the large civil cemetery of Jelgava. It is about 4 kilometres south-east of the town centre on Bauskas iela. Search “Jelgavas Meža kapsēta” on Waze or Google Maps, GPS coordinates: 56°37’35″N 23°45’9″E