On November 28 of this year, the Kurzeme Business Forum “Baltic Defence Investment Pitch 2025” will be held at the Ventspils Science Centre “Vizium.” The forum will focus on the development opportunities of the defence industry in Latvia and the Baltic States, as well as on attracting investments.
The forum will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will consist of two thematic parts – discussions and presentations on Latvia’s readiness to host defence industry production, and the investment session “Defence Investment Pitch,” where companies will present their technological solutions to potential investors. The event will be held in Latvian and English, and thanks to SIA “Tilde” artificial intelligence translation solution, simultaneous interpretation will be provided, making the forum accessible to an international audience.
“Given the geopolitical situation, the defence and dual-use sector is becoming one of the strategically most important investment directions, not only in terms of security but also for economic growth. In Latvia, and particularly in regions such as Ventspils, strong infrastructure has been developed, enabling technology and manufacturing companies to become part of the global defence innovation chain. This forum is an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of Latvian companies, attract foreign capital, and foster cooperation that creates new export niches,” emphasizes Laura Štrovalde, Deputy Director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia.
The aim of the forum is to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors, promoting investment and innovation in the defence industry. Chairman of Ventspils City Council Jānis Vītoliņš notes: “Latvia’s security and defence capability is not only a military issue – it is also closely linked to economic and regional development. Ventspils is already one of the places where technology and industry meet. We see an opportunity here to become a significant partner for the national defence industry – with modern production facilities, accessible port infrastructure, and a strong business environment. We must work together – at the national, municipal, and business levels – to make Latvia a secure, innovative, and economically strong centre for the defence industry.”
The first part of the forum will focus on the question “Is Latvia ready to host defence industry production?”, addressing the challenges and opportunities in developing defence manufacturing. The second part will feature the “Defence Investment Pitch,” where new technological solutions in the defence and security sectors will be presented, offering investors the opportunity to discover promising companies with export-ready products and innovations. This section will serve as a practical step toward strengthening Baltic cooperation and enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s defence industry.
More information about the forum program and agenda, as well as registration, is available at: https://www.kurzemesbiznesaforums.lv. Participation is by prior registration only.
The forum is organized by Ventspils City Municipality in cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the Kurzeme Planning Region, the Ventspils Freeport Authority, and the Green and Smart Technology Cluster.