The US-based Latvian American Chamber of Commerce (LATK) is motivated by patriotism and profit. “We can do much more together,” emphasizes LATK co-chairmen Lauris Lambergs and Jānis Bergs. In a conversation with “Delfi Bizness”, they tell how Latvians do business in America and how important it is to maintain ties with their home country.
“Our strength and success is our regional divisions, located in different places and cities across America,” says Lamberg. The co-chairs encourage anyone interested to join the chamber.
In October 2017, the Latvian business conference in the USA called “Spotlight Latvia” was held in Chicago for the first time, and more than 200 participants from Latvia and the USA took part in it. The Chicago conference became the beginning of the initiative to establish the Latvian American Chamber of Commerce (LATC) in order to promote economic ties between Latvia and the USA, attract investments for business projects of both countries, as well as support the business interests of individual members and promote professional networking. Mikus Kīns became the chairman of the chamber, but since September 2022 the board of LATK has been led by two co-chairmen – Lauris Lambergs and Jānis Bergs.
Both of you have worked in the Latvian American Chamber of Commerce almost since its foundation, now you are co-chairmen. Let’s get to know each other better!
Lauris Lambergs: My father’s family is from Jelgava, but they left Latvia for the USA after World War II. My mother’s family is from Canada.