Step Into the Future with Latvia – National Day Business Forum on Smart Innovation

Date: 20th of May 2025

Venue: Expo Salon

Time: 1:30 PM-5:30 PM

Cities around the world are evolving rapidly, driven by the need for sustainable development, efficient mobility, and smart infrastructure. At the heart of this transformation lie cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, smart energy and many other innovative solutions which are reshaping urban landscapes and redefining mobility solutions.

Human powered by technologies is at the very center of modern society today. Experts, opinion leaders, industrials of Latvia and Japan will come together at Business Forum on 20^th of May in Osaka, Japan to discuss opportunities to innovate together and empower human centric, modern society.

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Registration & Welcome refreshments

2:00 PM Opening session

2:00 PM – 2:10 PM  Welcome speeches:

• For Latvia: Mrs. Ieva Jāgere, Director, Investment and Development Agency
• For Japan: Mr. Hideki SHO, Director General for Osaka & Kansai, JETRO

2:10 PM – 2:30 PM Keynote Session: The Future of Innovation & Technology in mobility and smart cities

• For Latvia Keynote Speaker: Mr. Ingmārs Pūķis, Vice President, LMT
• For Japan Keynote Speaker: Mr. Paul Jone, CEO, Think AR (Soft Bank)

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM Panel Discussion: Disruptive technologies for secure data sharing, mobility of people and capital.

Panelists for Latvia:

• Mr.   Reinis Znotiņš, Managing Director, Latvian BlockChain Association
•  Mrs. Tīna Lūse, Member of the Board, FinTech Association of Latvia
•  Mrs. Aiga Irmeja, Executive Director, Latvia IT Claster

Panelist for Japan:

• Mr. Matīss Rikters, Project Researcher, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International

3:00 PM-3:05 PM Technical Break

3:05 PM – 3:35 PM  Panel Discussion: Emerging trends and sustainable technologies in smart cities.

Panelists for Latvia: 

• Mr. Mārtiņš Čakste, CEO, Latvenergo
• Mr. Armands Zemītis, CEO, Fortes Energy
• Mr. Andis Liepiņš, Lead Solution Architect, APPLY

Panelists for Japan:

• Mr. Eiichiro Goto, CEO, Ichigo ECO Energy
• Mr. Koichi Hamasaki, Senior Chief, Daiwa House Industry

3:35 PM -3:40 PM Technical Break

3:40 PM – 4:00 PM   Closing session

• Closing remarks by Minister of Economics of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Viktors Valainis
• Closing remarks by H.E. President of Latvia Mr. Edgars Rinkēvičs

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM Technology Showcase, cutting-edge for innovations and energy solutions.

• Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Fortes Energy (Latvia) and Ichigo ECO Energy (Japan). 
• Signatures by Mr Armands Zemītis, CEO, Fortes Energy and Mr. Eiichiro Goto, CEO of Ichigo ECO Energy.

4:15 PM – 5:30 PM B2B & Networking. Engaging with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors

The transformation of societies, cities and mobility through innovation and technology is not just a futuristic vision. It is a present-day reality. This forum of Latvia and Japan serves as a platform to discuss, strategize, and implement next-generation solutions that make urban environments smarter, more efficient, and more livable. The very goal of every innovation is human empowered by technology.

Let’s innovate together for a better future!

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdGfw3l74HCyrKBi98b81_e9yjOkIZ4j8DnOePzcGbdrgImqw/viewform

Meet you at the forum.

Team of Investment and Development Agency of Latvia