HomeConnecting 2020 Live Conversations and Debates: Seeking New Growth

12:00-13:30
MACROECONOMICS 2020+ - HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT MACROECONOMIC POLICY FOR THE BALTICS?

Is traditional macroeconomic policy-making shelved as the politicians appear to possess full mandate and justification for fiscal spending and money creation to address the transitory (?) output gaps? What are the right policies from a theoretical perspective? Where does the balance between stabilization and overstimulation lie?

In Europe, the EU Recovery Funds and the EU’s Green deal are two grand policy tools lifting off. What are the opportunities they create for the Baltics? Where would it be smart to direct these funds for the best combination of short- and long-term impact? Is it infrastructure – physical, social or digital? Green transformation? Digitalization of government services? Education? Healthcare? Regional development? Many alternatives, focus is needed!

Moderated by Morten Hansen, Head of Economics Department at SSE Riga and a member of the Fiscal Discipline Council of Latvia

Discussants:
Taavi Roivas, former Prime Minister of Estonia
Mārtiņš Kazāks, President of the Bank of Latvia
Mārtiņš Zemītis, Economic Counselor at European Commission Representation in Latvia
Arnoldas Pranckevičius, Head of European Commission Representation in Lithuania

14:00-15:30
WINNING AMONGST LOSERS AND NOT LOSING AMONGST WINNERS

Like in most of the world, in the Baltics, the Covid pandemic and the government response to it have affected different industries very differently. We will consider, which effects are likely temporary, and which are long-term or even permanent. Moreover, in turbulent environments, the gap between the winners and losers tends to widen: even in the most negatively affected industries, there are businesses that find a way out; and in the accelerated industries, there are players who fail to catch up. We will look into possible strategic levers relevant for Baltic businesses, such as digital, export-focus, and other.

Moderated by Yuri Romanenkov, Executive Vice President of Development at SSE Riga

Discussants:
Martin Gauss, CEO and Chairman of the Board at airBaltic
Edgar Sesemann, CEO of Rimi Baltic
Taavi Einaste, Partner at Nortal
Mārtiņš Marnauza, Partner at Coller Capital

16:00-17:30
LET’S TALK MONEY: SORTING OUT THE CAPITAL AVAILABILITY FOR BUSINESSES IN THE BALTICS

Macroeconomic policies reduce the cost of funds for the already overbanked. Several government programs try to address the issue for the underbanked SMEs and start-ups, but what is the track record? With public equity markets still shallow, private equity and venture capital is the main route for startups and SMEs to attract equity for growth. While this is a growing industry and becoming more structured and complete, is it a solution for equity capital availability on a macroeconomic scale? What is its degree of dependence on European and Baltic government-related funding, and is it an issue? But ultimately – is capital availability a universal challenge for Baltic companies’ growth? What are the solutions, if yes? But maybe it isn’t, in which case what is the main challenge – talent/scale/regulations, and what can be done about it?

Moderated by Kristīne Jarve, Deloitte Country Leader of Estonia and Lithuania and Partner in Charge of Tax, Legal, Accounting in Baltics 

Discussants:
Ieva Tetere, Chairman of the Board of SEB Latvia
Kristīne Bērziņa, Co-Founder of Livonia Partners
Alexander Sasha Kelberg, Founder and CEO of GroGlass
Gerri Kodres, Tech Investor, Founding Partner of United Angels VC
Helmuts Bēms, CEO and Co-Founder of Sonarworks