PhD Miķelis Kirpļuks participates in the Latvia–Czech Business Forum in Riga

On 10 March 2026, the Latvia–Czech Business Forum took place in Riga at the Pullman Riga Old Town hotel. The forum was dedicated to strengthening cooperation in the fields of security and defence technologies as well as biotechnology. The event brought together representatives of companies, research organisations, investors and policymakers from Latvia and the Czech Republic.

Opening remarks at the forum were delivered by the President of the Republic of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, and the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, as well as the Latvian Minister of Economics, Viktors Valainis, and the Minister of Defence, Andris Sprūds. The event was moderated by Solvita Gulbe, Head of the Export Services Division at the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia.

The programme included presentations on the potential of economic cooperation between Latvia and the Czech Republic, as well as two panel discussions—one focusing on innovation in security and defence technologies and the other on the commercialisation of biotechnology innovations. Representatives of international companies and research organisations also participated, including experts from Riga Stradiņš University, Prague.bio, SOTIO Biotech and MB Pharma. The forum continued with structured B2B matchmaking meetings, where companies and research organisations discussed potential cooperation opportunities.

The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry was represented at the forum by PhD Miķelis Kirpļuks, Leading Researcher of the Polymer Laboratory. Miķelis participated in the panel discussion “Biotechnologies panel: Commercialization of innovations”, moderated by Vitālijs Skrīvelis, Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Association of Life Sciences Industry.

Miķelis Kirpļuks noted:

“During the discussion, I shared the experience of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry in the commercialisation of innovations. I presented our achievements in the development of cryogenic insulation materials for space technologies, as well as our progress in developing biotechnology solutions based on the valorisation of bio-resources and their transfer to the market. The forum particularly highlighted the importance of international cooperation and B2B meetings as a tool for developing new projects with Czech partners.”