Latvian and African companies increasingly interested in cooperation - Braze

RIGA - The interest of Latvian and African companies in cooperation is growing, especially in the fields of information and communication technologies, digitalization, new technologies, food, agriculture and forestry, Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) said on Monday after an international forum dedicated to the partnership between Latvia and African countries.

As reported, on Monday, Braze together with Ugandan Foreign Minister Odongo Jeje Abubakhar opened an international forum for partnership between Latvia and the African countries, "Latvia and Countries in Africa: Advancing Resilience and Development through Digital Solutions".

The forum was held in Riga for the second time to promote bilateral cooperation between the countries, especially in the economic field, and to discuss regional and global issues.

Braze discussed with the Ugandan foreign minister the promotion of economic cooperation, including in the field of digitalization, LETA was told at the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the Latvian minister noted that trade between Latvia and African countries has increased by 52 percent over the past five years.

"Latvian entrepreneurs and non-governmental organizations are implementing development cooperation projects in several African countries to help women and girls acquire information technology skills and engage in entrepreneurship," the minister added.

Braze also stressed that Latvia is implementing projects related to good governance and innovative agriculture. So far, projects have been successfully implemented in Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Egypt, South Africa, Cameroon and Ghana.

The two ministers also discussed Latvia's priorities in the UN Security Council, including digital skills and the empowerment of women and young people worldwide, as well as respect for international law and the UN Charter in Ukraine, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere.

During the visit, the Latvian and Ugandan foreign ministries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on political and diplomatic consultations, which establishes a mechanism for regular consultations on topical issues of bilateral cooperation and on international organizations' agenda.

On Monday, the Ugandan foreign minister also met with Latvian Transport Minister Atis Svinka (Progressives), to sign an agreement on air traffic between Latvia and Uganda, visited JSC Latvijas Valsts Mezi (LVM, Latvian State Forests) and the Latvian Information Technology Cluster, where he held talks with representatives of several information and communication technology companies to explore Latvia's abilities and solutions in sustainable forest management and the digital sector.

Three discussions took place during the forum, focusing on fostering cooperation in the ICT sector, digital solutions for health and women's empowerment in society through digital solutions.

The forum will be accompanied by the unveiling of an exhibition of works by African artists "Tukku Magi: Rhythm" at the Latvian National Museum of Art. The exhibition will be on display until September 7.