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Kr. Valdemara str. 33
Office 11 (entrance from courtyard)
Phone: +371 67218043
Fax: +371 67218045
info@bccl.lv |
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| October 28 |
| Anita Kaleja at "Britain Congratulates Latvia 1918-2008" Celebration Dinner |
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Excellencies,
Dear Members and Guests of the Chamber,
Dear Friends,
On this historic occasion of Latvia’s 90th anniversary, I am glad to have the opportunity to welcome you all at the reception of the British Chamber of Commerce in Latvia. On behalf of our members, I would like to say that we feel privileged to be part of Latvia’s remarkable growth. Our lives and our businesses have been inseparably tied to the multiplicity of social, economic and political events and processes that define Latvia today. We have witnessed a well deserved international recognition of Latvian statehood. To sum it up - we have a valid reason to be a proud organization in a successful and proud country. Let us celebrate it!
In my speech I will address a number of topics. First and indeed foremost, I would like to praise our members - individuals and organizations that have chosen to use this chamber as a platform for getting engaged within the society at large. With our leadership on issues of corporate social responsibility, we strive to show that a happy life is a connected life. Our members know that our chamber successfully combines things useful and agreeable. For only in this spirit we can create lasting businesses and live good lives. Secondly, I would like to introduce our many guests to our chamber, your proud and welcoming host.
When I look around this room, I see a new kind of Latvian patriot. Most of our members have chosen to live and work in Latvia, regardless of the many opportunities they might enjoy elsewhere. To mention just a few of them, let me start with our Board members alone. Neil Jennings is raising his family with four children here. Steve Austwick has settled in Sigulda where his three children find their home. Malcolm Dent returns home to Riga from his place of business in, of all places, Romania. Gregory Pomerantsev is taking Air Baltic around the globe, but always heads back to Riga. The international contacts of Ieva Morica, Vineta Cukste and Arnis Marcinkevics could easily have produced splendid careers elsewhere. Yet, they are here with their families, businesses and lives, with their hopes and fears, successes and failures inseparably connected to Latvia. I must add myself to this list for my children and I now also find our home here. I would like to extend my most sincere gratitude to our many members who choose to live and do their business in Latvia. Simply put, thank you for leading exceptional lives in Latvia.
Now, let me make a proper introduction of our Chamber. Dear guests, the BCCL is the largest foreign chamber of commerce in Latvia that has grown to represent business from all over the world, while staying true to our founding British business values. We proudly maintain close ties with our most supportive and friendly member - the British Embassy in Latvia. In our membership are some of the largest foreign investors, some of Latvia’s largest companies, powerful British and international brands, as well as successful small and medium enterprises. Our goal is to provide members with services and information to strengthen their competitiveness in the local and international market and to promote and facilitate reputable business relationships.
What does it mean? Well, you are amongst friends. We are thrilled to be together with you tonight. And what a company of distinguished guests it is.
In our midst tonight we have:
His excellency Mr. Richard Moon, her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia
His excellency Mr. Charles Larson, the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia
And, of course, our guest speaker tonight - Mr. Edward Lucas.
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