On 25 January, Latvia hosted the first ever timber industry future forum entitled “Innovators or Modest Exporters?”. The event brought together experts from the timber processing and related sectors to discuss current industry trends, problems and their solutions, as well as to outline the future steps that must be taken collectively to promote the long-term development of the timber industry.

The forum was organised by one of Latvia's leading timber industry companies, Stiga RM. Professionals and guests from the woodworking and related sectors analysed the current national economic situation from the perspective of manufacturing companies, specifically the timber industry, and highlighted topics and issues that are crucial to address for the long-term success of the sector. Meanwhile, within the framework of a panel discussion, experts explained their vision for solutions to develop the timber industry under current conditions, collectively seeking an answer to the question: how could we in Latvia produce more high value-added products?

“Currently, the Latvian forest sector is experiencing a difficult and uncertain time. This is the right moment to bring together professionals from the woodworking and related sectors to promote an open dialogue about the industry's challenges and to outline the next steps we must all take together to overcome the crisis and enhance the sector's long-term development and competitiveness. One of the main focal points of the forum's discussions is the potential for manufacturing high value-added products, which can help us escape the trap of being a raw material-exporting country and use the resource available in Latvia – wood – much more smartly and effectively, ” emphasises Andris Ramoliņš, owner of Stiga RM.