This week, Riga will host internationally recognized investment location consultants whose recommendations influence the decisions of global companies regarding the location of new manufacturing facilities, technology centers, and other investment projects. On October 29, the Latvian capital will host the Site Selectors Guild’s European Conference—the first such event in the Baltic states. The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) views this event as a significant opportunity to strengthen Latvia’s position in the international competition for investment.
The Site Selectors Guild brings together globally recognized investment location consultants who help international companies evaluate offers from various countries and make decisions regarding investment location. Eleven members of the organization will arrive in Riga, including representatives from international consulting firms such as JLL, Newmark, BCI Global, and IBM Plant Location International. The recommendations of such consultants can be decisive when companies are choosing among several countries competing for the same investment project.
“Investments don’t begin with the construction of a factory. They begin with the decision about which country a company will choose to expand into. And the people who have arrived in Riga this week play a crucial role in making that decision. The fact that they have chosen to meet in Latvia is a significant testament to our visibility, but making a good impression alone is not enough when competing for investment. It is important for companies to know how quickly they can begin operations, what support is available, and who will help resolve specific issues. Latvia’s advantage lies in its ability to make decisions quickly and ensure direct cooperation with the relevant decision-makers. Our task is to ensure that the next time these consultants are looking for a location for a new production facility or technology center for their clients, Latvia will be among their top choices. “That is why, during the conference, the LIAA will also highlight the real opportunities and advantages that Latvia can offer to international companies wishing to expand their operations here and implement new investment projects,” emphasizes LIAA Director Ieva Jāgere.
Latvia’s competitiveness in attracting investment is also confirmed by its results to date. In 2025, with the involvement of the LIAA, 31 investment projects were launched, totaling 1.01 billion euros. Meanwhile, in the first nine months of 2026, the planned total value of investment projects attracted by the LIAA reached 886.8 million euros, or nearly 90% of this year’s target of one billion euros.
LIAA Director Ieva Jāgere will participate in a meeting with conference participants on October 28, while during the conference, the LIAA will take the opportunity to network with international consultants and showcase Latvia’s investment environment. A key part of Latvia’s offering is access to the European Union’s single market, a skilled workforce, the exemption of reinvested corporate profits from corporate income tax, and the opportunity for eligible investment projects to utilize the “Green Corridor” initiative, which expedites access to certain government services.
In the LIAA’s view, it will be particularly important to continue cooperation after the conference so that consultants have access to up-to-date information on investment opportunities in Latvia and specific contacts for moving projects forward. This will help Latvia get involved early in the evaluation of new investment projects and compete for their implementation.
The Site Selectors Guild’s second European conference will take place on October 29 at the Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel. It will bring together investment consultants and representatives of economic development organizations from Europe, North America, and Asia. The conference program includes discussions on global investment trends, the impact of artificial intelligence on investment location selection, energy availability, clean technologies, and the semiconductor industry.
The conference is organized by the Site Selectors Guild, with the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency (RITA) serving as the host partner.
For more information about the conference: here.
About the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA)
LIAA promotes the competitiveness of Latvian businesses, export growth, and the attraction of investment, while also developing the tourism sector and implementing the country’s image policy. The agency acts as the government’s partner in business development—from the initial idea to international markets. With an extensive network of representative offices abroad and regional business centers in Latvia, LIAA helps companies grow and positions Latvia as a safe, innovative, and open country in the global economy.