OREANDA-NEWS. February 26, 2013. Already next week the Prime Ministers, experts, researchers and entrepreneurs of Nordic and Baltic countries and Great Britain will gather in Riga - in the Northern Future Forum, to discuss the current developments of the region - competitiveness of green economy and bridging the digital divide. The forum will be held on February 28.

This year Latvia's position will be represented by three experts. Juris Gulbis, Chief Executive Officer of "Lattelecom” Ltd. who will tell about the project "Connect Latvia!". It aims at promoting computer and Internet access for senior generation of Latvia, thus reducing the digital divide and social exclusion.

Sandis Kolomenskis, Co-owner and Head of International Development of JSC "RIX will give a presentation "Easily Accessible Cultural Heritage – Analysis of Latvia's Case", while Paul Baratt, Head of "Greenworld Fuels Ltd." will give a presentation on how innovative and cost-effective technology converts biomass into fuel grade Ethanol. The Forum will bring together about 100 participants from nine countries.

Gints Freimanis, Freelance Advisor to Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis for National Economy Affairs points out that the green energy issues were discussed in the 2011 Forum in Great Britain; however, this year they are extended to the green economy which, in addition to energy, include such areas as green construction, green transportation, as well as soil, water and waste management, etc.

"As regards the use of renewable energy, Latvia with 32.5% is the second greenest country in the EU, following Sweden. However, the green economy is not only about the use of renewable resources. Currently, we are looking for new forms and ways to make the economy sustainable. This includes both, search for new innovative technologies and new financing mechanisms. The weak point of the current economic system is the fact that all countries and the most developed countries in particular, are dependent on limited resources. In modern world, the economy that will be able to use the available resources in most rational way, and will find alternative renewable forms of these resources, will win the competition. This could also be part of the answer to the question as to whether the green economy is competitive, "said G.Freimanis.

Signe Balina, President of the Latvian Information and Communications Technology Association, emphasizing the second theme of the Forum – bridging the digital divide, says, "Technologies and electronic environment are becoming increasingly important in activities of any industry; therefore, the ICT development is now essential for all the Nordic countries. The important role of technologies is also mentioned in the Digital Agenda for Europe, which is a part of the European Union's strategy up to 2020. Export capacity and innovations are the preconditions for Latvia's economic growth, and the ICT is the sector that creates innovative and exportable services and products. Therefore, the ICT is one of the priority areas that will enhance the economic competitiveness of Latvia not only in the Nordic region, but also throughout Europe."

"The Latvian Information and Communications Technology Association (LIKTA) has developed a charter, or a vision of ICT development in Latvia, which clearly shows that we have a great potential to become one of the strongest countries in the field of ICT in Northern Europe. Latvia has already proved itself as a competitive and enabling environment for ICT development. Latvia has a globally competitive ICT infrastructure - the first fastest Internet in Europe and the fourth fastest Internet in the world. In many areas, we already have one of the Europe's most advanced e-government solutions. Similarly, we can be proud of a wide range of technologies and ICT solutions used in both, business environment, education, health care, and promoting access to and preservation of the Latvian cultural heritage in Latvia and worldwide. The Northern Future Forum is a unique opportunity for Latvia to announce itself as one of the most advanced countries in the ICT field in the Nordic region," says S.Balina.

As reported this will be the third Northern Future Forum. At the initiative of D.Cameron, Prime Minister of Great Britain, the first forum was organized in January 2011 in London, while the second - in February 2012 in Stockholm. At the conclusion of this forum, the Heads of State supported the proposal made by Prime Minister of Latvia Valdis Dombrovskis to organize the third forum in Riga. Video of the moment when the venue of the 2013 Forum was announced: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA9HADU0LUM

The Northern Future Forum in Riga is organized by the Prime Minister's Office in cooperation with the State Chancellery, the Cross Sectoral-Coordination Centre, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Latvian Information and Communications Technology Association and non-governmental organizations of the sector. Supporter of the forum – "Lattelecom" Ltd.

More detailed information about the Northern Future Forum 2013: www.futureforum2013.gov.lv