1. Knowledge Economy - Next steps for LATVIA Prof. Imants Freibergs, President LITTA Latvian Information Technologies and Telecommunications Association

2. Knowledge Economy - Latvia Agenda Road to Information society Socio-economic program e-Latvia Road to KBE: Industrial clusters Professional education Road to Innovation Regional development Role of NGOs

4. Knowledge Economy - Latvia Industrial clusters for Latvia Objective: Development of KBE Export of high value-added products & services Joint marketing activities, Sharing HR, Collaboration with Universities, internships, … Clusters Information systems Forestry/ wood products Engineering/ Optic fibres Composite materials

5. Knowledge Economy - Latvia Professional education Objective: Knowledge technologists ITT Colleges in regions Professional (2 to 3 year) ITT university-college level programs Joint IT College project with Denmark Postgraduate professional training centre at Univ. of Latvia – market driven Specialised knowledge upgrade courses (e.g. Windows, DB, Networks, Web, …)

6. Knowledge Economy - Latvia Road to innovation R&D specialisation European Center of excellence for fundamental research Magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) studies at the Institute of Physics, University of Latvia. Potential industrial cluster and incubator. M.Sc. and Ph.D. level studies and research in ICT, a national priority. National center of innovation

7. Knowledge Economy - Latvia Regional Development Long term economic development of regions based on ICT Example: Baltic CyberCity in Valmiera Synergy between Vidzeme University College, IT related enterprises and Regional administration; Development of a High-tech IT enterprise incubator; Development of the regions intellectual and social capital; Re-training of the working force and reducing unemployment.

8. Knowledge Economy - Latvia Growing role of NGOs Raising the level of public awareness of KBE LITTA public declaration about necessary measures to Promote ICT as an important contributor to the National Economy Promote ICT education and R&D activities Advisory role of LITTA in National policy development