From September 26th to 28th, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia organized its seventh annual training program for diplomats focusing on economic affairs. The highlight of this year’s event was a regional visit to the Latgale planning region, where over 30 Latvian diplomats and 140 business representatives gathered to foster connections and gain insights into the local business landscape. The diplomats had an opportunity to visit Yukon Group entity in Daugavpils, Pulsar Optics, SIA, and learn more about the production of thermal imaging devices in Latvia.

Addressing the participants on the first day of the training, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andris Pelšs emphasized that economic transformation and export growth will continue to be a priority in the work of Latvian embassies. “We need to continue to talk about Latvia’s open business environment and good examples of entrepreneurship. Our companies are proving that it is possible to develop rapidly and to be leaders in their sector in the European market,” the State Secretary stressed.

During the regional visit, the delegation travelled to Daugavpils and Rezekne to meet local entrepreneurs at two networking events, which gave Latgale entrepreneurs the opportunity to seek new export and cooperation opportunities, see themselves on the global market, and develop their businesses here in the region by attracting the necessary investment.

Eight local companies were visited over the two days to get to know the business environment in the Latgale planning region better. Among the eight companies visited during the regional expedition was Pulsar Optics, SIA which is one of the fasters growing entity in the Latgale region with around 300 employees. The entity is a subsidiary of Lithuanian high-tech company Yukon Group, which has been manufacturing thermal imaging, digital night and day vision optical equipment for civilian use in Daugavpils since 2021, exporting finished products mainly to Europe, the UK and the US.