Reinforcing Baltic Ties: Success at 2024 Business Day
Uniting Baltic nations through collaboration and innovation at 2024 Business Day
June 25th, 2024Rostock, April 18, 2024 – The second Baltic Sea Business Day brought together nearly 600 participants from the democratic states surrounding the Baltic Sea. Organized by the state government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and various chambers of commerce, the event highlighted opportunities for economic cooperation and innovation in the region.
Manuela Schwesig, President of the Bundesrat, highlighted the Baltic Sea’s role in fostering cooperation within the democratic Baltic region. She thanked participants, especially those from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway, for their contributions and interest. Schwesig suggested that the Baltic Sea should be seen as a bridge, promoting stronger partnerships and economic opportunities.
Dr. Lars Gutheil, Executive Board Member of the German-Polish Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK), discussed the discussions and networking that took place in Rostock. He pointed out the region’s economic potential, especially if the Baltic Sea is viewed as a connector rather than a divider. Gutheil noted that Poland is currently Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s key trading partner. He compared the situation to the historic Hanseatic League, mentioning that today’s priorities include digitalization, administrative security, environmental protection, climate change, water management and logistics.
The event saw extensive participation from government and business leaders, aiming to enhance cooperation across various sectors. The presence of executives from the German-Danish, German-Swedish, German-Baltic (covering Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and Finnish chambers of commerce underscored the commitment to tighter collaboration within the region.
The Baltic Sea Business Day featured presentations from 34 companies and startups, displaying their innovations in a designated area within the Stadthalle’s foyer. Additionally, 12 regional economic development agencies, along with “Invest in MV,” showcased the economic landscape of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Key topics included international research and development collaborations, the health of the Baltic Sea, digital transformation, hydrogen use in freight transport and logistics and geothermal energy. The platform facilitated over 150 B2B meetings organized through the Enterprise European Network, demonstrating the event’s role as a crucial networking hub.
The second Baltic Sea Business Day established a positive example for future events. Organizers thanked all participating chambers of commerce, embassies, and partners for their contributions. Preparations are underway for the third Baltic Sea Business Day, scheduled for 2026, which aims to further promote economic growth and cooperation in the Baltic region.
By addressing contemporary challenges and utilizing the shared history and connections of the Baltic states, the Baltic Sea Business Day highlights the potential for regional unity and prosperity.
References:
- - https://www.balticsea-business-day.de/de/
- - https://www.instagram.com/p/C56MD4Ft8uh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
- - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dr-lars-gutheil-563b979_rostock-mecklenburg-vorpommern-activity-7187126578273800192-jaFA?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop