SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in the State of California today announced that Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis of Latvia will visit business, educational and community organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area on Friday, July 15, 2011 and Saturday, July 16, 2011 to promote economic development in Latvia and the San Francisco Bay region.
While in the Bay Area, Latvian Prime Minister Dombrovskis will visit with a number of local technology companies and financial institutions to discuss investment and business opportunities in Latvia. In addition, Mr. Dombrovskis will address entrepreneurship and partnership issues and success stories with local educational and community organizations.
Flagship events marking the Latvian prime minister’s visit include:
- Opening the Latvian American Business Association in California Office on July 15, 2011 to support knowledge-sharing among Californian and Latvian-American business communities
- Leading a business seminar at Stanford University on July 15, 2011 focused on the role of universities, business and governments in fostering entrepreneurship
- Opening the Latvian Honorary Consulate in Northern California on July 16, 2011 to encourage trade, investment, cultural exchange and friendship between the United States and Latvia
About Latvia
Latvia is an independent republic in Eastern Europe on the border of the Baltic Sea across from Sweden. Immediate neighboring countries to Latvia include Estonia and Lithuania. Latvia has one of the highest literacy rates in the world (99.8 percent) according to 2007 data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Its population is approximately 2 million with a labor force of approximately 1 million according to The World Factbook published by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Exports and services are the primary contributors to Latvia’s gross domestic product, with machinery, electrical equipment, wood, metal and mineral products being the main exports according to The Latvian Institute. In 2004, Latvia joined the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Latvia is also a member of the United Nations Organization and the World Trade Organization.
Government in Latvia
Latvia is governed by a parliamentary democracy with a president who is elected by Parliament every four years. The country’s 100 members of Parliament are also elected every four years. Latvia’s prime minister is appointed by Latvia’s president and confirmed by Latvia’s Parliament. The prime minister nominates members of the president’s cabinet, who are appointed by Parliament, and the prime minister is responsible for determining the general direction of the government’s activities, including coordinated and purposeful work by its cabinet of ministers.
About Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis of Latvia
Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis of Latvia assumed his current role on November 3, 2010. As a leading member of Latvia’s New Era Party, he also served as prime minister of Latvia from March 2009 to November 2010. Prior to his role as Latvia’s prime minister, Mr. Dombrovskis served as Latvia's minister of finance and a member of the European Parliament for Latvia’s New Era Party.
Prime Minister Dombrovskis attended the University of Latvia, graduating with a degree in physics in 1993. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics for engineers from Riga University of Technology in 1995 and a master’s degree in physics from the University of Latvia in 1996.
About the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in the State of California
The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in the State of California will officially be established on July 16, 2011 to promote trade, investment, cultural exchange and friendship between the United States and Latvia.