Latvian Investment & Development Agency: Wisconsin Businesses Invited to Attend Trade Mission in the Baltic States

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2006

RIGA, Latvia — Wisconsin businesses interested in investing in and
trading with businesses in the Baltic States can attend the “U.S. Business
Investment and Trade Mission to the Baltic States.” Providing participants a
unique opportunity to meet with key government and business leaders
and potential business partners from the region, the Trade Mission will be
held May 22-26 in the three Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

“The Trade Mission is perfect for Wisconsin companies that already have business relations with Baltic businesses, and those firms that seek additional information on the region and contacts,” said Mr. Andris Ozols, Director of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA), the event organizer. “There will be B2B matchmaking opportunities so U.S. businesses can meet prospective business partners and even sign agreements for further cooperation.”

Program
The Trade Mission will start on May 22nd with a special welcoming reception at
Blackhead’s House, a famous 17th century landmark in Riga, that will be hosted
by the Riga City Council. Presentations are scheduled to be delivered by Mrs.
Vaira Vike Freiberga, the President of the Republic of Latvia, Dr. Arturs
Kriðjânis Kariòð, Minister of Economics of Latvia, and Catherine Todd Bailey,
U.S. Ambassador to Latvia.

On May 23rd and 24th, there will be presentations by government and business
representatives of the three Baltic States, and case studies given on U.S.
businesses currently working in the region, B2B matchmaking sessions, and
visits to Latvian business sites. The presenters will include Edgar Savisaar,
Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia, Mr. Daukðys
Kestutis, Minister of Economy, Lithuania, Dr. Arturs Kriðjânis Kariòð,
Minister of Economics, Latvia, and Raimonds Slaidiòð, President, American
Chamber of Commerce in Latvia. Other speakers will be Paul Beckett, the Wall
Street Journal’s London Bureau Chief and European Finance and Markets Editor,
and the Baltics representative of Moody’s Investors Service.

The event will conclude with optional visits May 24th-26th to network
with business contacts in Tallinn, Estonia and Vilnius, Lithuania.

To learn more, businesses can visit the Trade Mission’s website at
www.usabalticinvestment.com , email usabalticinvestment@liaa.gov.lv or call
Viktors Melbardis at 011 371 7 039 404. The main Trade Mission activities
will be held at the Radisson SAS Daugava Hotel in Riga, Latvia.

Mr. Ozols said that the Trade Mission will appeal to businesses in most
industries, and especially those in financial services, transport and
logistics, the life sciences, biotechnology, telecommunications, manufacturing,
textiles, construction, energy and electronics. Space is limited so early
registration is recommended.

The Trade Mission is one of the first major U.S. trade events in the Baltic
States since U.S. President Bush’s visit there in May 2005. The main partners
of the LIAA organizer group are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Latvia, the Ministry of Economics of Latvia, the Embassy of Latvia,
the American Chambers of Commerce in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Enterprise
Estonia, the Lithuanian Development Agency, U.S. State Department and U.S.
Department of Commerce.

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia became members of NATO (the North Atlantic
Treaty Organizations) and the European Union in 2004. These achievements have
led to American businesses’ renewed interest in trade and investment with the
Baltic States.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mrs. Ieva Vikmane, Head of the Public Relations Division
Latvian Investment & Development Agency
Tel 011 371 703 9422 or email ieva.vikmane@liaa.gov.lv

Michael Pirages, Pirages Communications/Chicago, Tel 773-769-1616