Are you an SME or a company new to export looking for a market that is relatively easy to develop business in, is not huge in size and is easily accessible from the UK? If so, why not join us for an evening seminar on Thursday 10 June to discover the opportunities for your business in the Baltic States.

 

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania regained their independence from the Soviet Union in 1992 and have been members of the EU and NATO since 2004, which has made a huge impact on the ease of trading with these countries. This together with their open and flexible economies, high levels of English spoken and substantial EU funding, reaching £9.5 billion by 2013, makes the Baltics an attractive destination for business.

 

Sponsored by the Midlands Enterprise Europe Network, this event will provide you with the opportunity to:

 

·         Hear an update on the latest market developments from UKTI Commercial Officers based at the British Embassies in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

 

·         Learn about the business opportunities in a wealth of sectors across the region including ICT, biotechnology, energy and environment, education and training, construction and financial services

 

·         Discover the investment incentives and opportunities available in Latvia and Lithuania

 

·         Explore how these countries can be used as a springboard into the Russian and CIS markets

 

·         Understand the similarities and differences of the language, culture, customs and etiquette across the Baltic States

 

In addition, we will be hearing about a local company's experiences of the market further to a recent trip to the region. One-to-one meetings with our guest speakers will also be available before the seminar.

 

Taking place at The Stuart Hotel, Derby, the event will commence at 5.00 pm with registration and light refreshments. The presentations will begin at 5.30 pm and the evening will draw to a close at 7.30 pm followed by a networking hot and cold fork buffet.

 

 

Programme:

 

17h00       Registration, Light Refreshments and Networking

 

17h30       Welcome and Introduction

                  Bob Fisher, Director, emita

 

17h35       Baltic Market Overview and Export Opportunities

                  Lynn Sutt, Trade Adviser, British Embassy Tallinn,

              Santa Plivča, Senior Market Adviser, British Embassy Riga and

              Gintarė Verbickaitė, Senior Market Adviser, British Embassy Vilnius

        

18h00       Investment Opportunities in Latvia

                  Indra Freiberga, Head of UK Office,

              Investment and Development Agency of Latvia

             

18h15       Investment Opportunities in Lithuania

              Mark Gaskell, Managing Director, Equity & Grant Ltd

 

18h30       Similarities and Differences of the Baltic States:

                  Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette

              Lynn Sutt, Santa Plivča and Gintarė Verbickaitė

 

18h45       Case study: Baltics Market Visit Experience  

                  Matt Stocker, Director, Matt Stocker Ltd and Consultant Adviser to

              Automatic Flare Systems Ltd

 

19h00       Q&A and Discussion

             

19h30       Close and Networking Buffet