Ministers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

It is a great pleasure for the Crown Princess and me to be part of the Latvian centenary celebrations here in Riga.

Let me begin by congratulating the winners of the sketch competition on the creative “TABFAB” quarter of Riga. I had the chance to briefly see some of the many fine proposals that were part of the competition. It will be exciting to see the transformation of the former tobacco factory into a cool place for creative minds and entrepreneurs in Riga.

I find it very symbolic that an old tobacco factory that belonged to a past industrial era will become a creative and cultural centre of Riga. There is no doubt that the present industrial revolution with all its new technologies, 3d-printing and digitalisation needs creative and innovative minds that can facilitate, design and drive this development.

There was a Danish footprint at the old tobacco factory, as it was owned by Scandinavian Tobacco for several years. At the future TABFAB centre, there will be a new and more modern Danish footprint when the buildings are renovated and redesigned.

With the sketch competition and today’s conference on creative industries, a new cooperation is beginning. I wish it success, and I’m sure that it will benefit both countries. There is no doubt, that there is a huge growth potential in the creative sector.

Latvia is one of Europe’s entrepreneurial hotspots, from which Danish start-ups can learn. Danish companies, within architecture, film, furniture, music and design have developed a strong international brand, which in turn can inspire Latvian companies. Our two countries can share and inspire one another.

I am happy to see that Danish design companies are displaying their products here today. I understand that most of the company’s present have placed parts of their production in Latvia. In other words, today’s meeting between Danish and Latvian designers and start-ups builds on an existing co-operative framework. The well-established companies demonstrate the potential of working in Latvia and with Latvian partners. And this serves to highlight the potential for future collaborations.

I hope that the Latvian creative start-ups will come to Denmark for the next meeting and demonstrate their skills to a wider Danish audience. This will also give them a chance to learn about the potential for them in the Danish market.

I wish you all a successful day and all the best for future Danish-Latvian cooperation.

Thank you.