The global semiconductor industry spans a comprehensive value chain, including semiconductor technology manufacturing, design, testing, packaging, and distribution. It is crucial for technological innovation, economic growth, and societal development. Moreover, its strategic importance extends to national security, technological independence, and global competitiveness. Latvia’s involvement in the chip value chain creates valuable opportunities to develop sectors like electronics manufacturing, cybersecurity and defence technologies, the development of artificial intelligence solutions, data centre infrastructure, and modern healthcare, while simultaneously fostering the attraction of foreign investment.
The Latvian Chip Competence Centre (LCCC) drives and coordinates cooperation among the Baltic and Nordic Chip Competence Centres, recognizing this collaboration’s strategic importance in promoting Latvia’s and the region’s recognition and competitiveness internationally. Previous meetings included sessions with the Baltic States and a workshop with Finnish representatives to determine cooperation directions with the highest added value, both locally and globally. This network involves Lithuania’s Chips C2-LT (Chips Competence Centre Lithuania), Estonia’s KIIP (Estonian Chips Competence Centre), Finland’s FiCC (Finnish Chips Competence Centre), Norway’s CC-NorChip, and Sweden’s SCCC (Swedish Chip Competence Centre), which form the basis for further cooperation development in the region.
A regional approach to developing the semiconductor ecosystem and value chain provides Europe with a competitive advantage over the US and Asia. It offers access to experts, pilot lines, design platforms, training, and semiconductor value chain services, as well as expanding opportunities to participate in inter-country projects and consortia (Chips for Europe, Digital Europe, Horizon Europe, MSCA, Eureka XECS). This approach enables the LCCC to more effectively support start-ups at various Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), promotes Latvia’s visibility within the Chips Joint Undertaking framework, and strengthens the national-level chip ecosystem, thereby enhancing competitiveness and fostering the development of high-technology innovation overall.
On October 22, 2025, in Riga, three interconnected events will take place at the Techritory forum, collectively marking a significant stage in the development of cooperation between the Baltic and Nordic Chip Competence Centres and the strengthening of Latvia’s chip ecosystem. This year marks the 8th edition of Techritory – the digitalisation and connectivity Forum – and is organized with the support of the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility by the Electronic Communications Office of Latvia (VAS ES), in collaboration with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Together, these three events form a comprehensive initiative that fosters cooperation, knowledge exchange, and innovation development in the field of semiconductor technologies in the Baltic and Nordic region, consolidating the long-term development of Latvia’s chip and high-technology ecosystems.
The first event, ‘From the Baltics to the Nordics: Building Alliances for Global Semiconductor Competitiveness’, will be held from 11:00 to 12:40. Its aim is to strengthen cooperation between the Baltic and Nordic Chip Competence Centres, encourage discussion on the importance of a regional approach to the development of the chip ecosystem and value chain, share experience, and identify cooperation directions with the highest added value, both regionally and globally. A networking session is planned at the end of the event, where participants can make contacts, share experiences, and initiate professional collaboration. Baltic and Nordic Competence Centres, industry representatives, academic and research organizations, innovation and support structures, as well as policymakers, are invited to participate.
Shortly thereafter, the ‘Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Baltic Chip Competence Centres’ will be held from 14:30 to 15:00. This ceremony confirms the Baltic States’ commitment to deepen cooperation in semiconductor technologies, strengthening regional partnership and creating a foundation for the development of competence centres in the Baltic States. The goal is to foster innovation, support research and development (R&D), and consolidate the Baltic region as a strong centre of chip expertise and technological leadership. Parties to the memorandum, government representatives, industrial companies, and representatives of the research community are invited to attend the event.
Concluding the day, the event ‘Latvia’s Chip Ecosystem Meeting: Aligning Priorities, Accelerating Impact’ will take place from 15:15 to 16:30. The goal of this workshop is to create a platform for cooperation between representatives of the LCCC, industry, academia, policymakers, and innovation centres. Within the framework of the workshop, the LCCC will present the progress to date, share future plans, and encourage an open dialogue with all involved parties. The main focus will be on mapping the chip ecosystem and the results of the industry survey, which will help determine priorities, uncover cooperation opportunities, and ensure that future initiatives align with the industry’s real needs, while simultaneously promoting broader public benefit. Representatives of the LCCC, industrial companies, academic and research organizations, innovation and support structures, as well as policymakers and public sector representatives are invited to participate.
The event was financed with the support of the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility – NextGenerationEU.
The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
