Education and Science, Forum, Industry, Innovations, Internet, Latvia, Technology

Discussion “Future of Collaborative Economy” will take place on 28 November  2016 at 10 a.m., European Union House, Riga. Among participants will be Arvils Ašeradens, Minister for Economics and Deputy Prime Minister, Pēteris Zilgalvis, Head of Unit, Startups and Innovation, Digital Single Market Directorate, DG CONNECT, Filomena Chirico, European Commission Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, Enn Metsar, General Manager Baltics at Uber, Kristo Käärmann, CEO at TransferWise. Discussion will be moderated by Pauls Raudseps, Editor at IR, IR Nauda.

“Modern technologies and market promote development of collaborative economy to provide better service, lower prices and transparent processes and increase consumer loyalty. We have to use the opportunities offered by cooperative economy, to create more jobs, promote innovations and enhance productivity. This process cannot be stopped anymore not in Europe, nor in Latvian, and the main task for policy-makers and businesses is to properly prepare for that, "says Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Economics Arvils Ašeradens.

Dr. Inna Steinbuka, the Head of Commission Representation in Latvia: “Shared rides, renting a dwelling for tourists and other examples of collaborative economy has made the business building more accessible than ever before. Collaborative economy can give a much needed boost for the European economic development, therefore it is very important to guarantee a fair tax system and a consumer protection both in the national and EU level. If we allow the single market to become fragmented, the loser may be the whole Europe. "

Some of the key questions of the debate: what kind of future collaborative economy business-models shape for us, to what degree disruption is adding a real value to the society, who are those who benefit and who - lose, who qualifies as workers in the collaborative economy etc

The Digital Freedom Festival is a global technology, policy, startup and lifestyle festival, that will gather more than 1,000 new technology and startup entrepreneurs, policy makers, investors, experts, journalists and students from all over the world in Riga from the 27th to the 29^th of November. The main events of the festival will be a conference, a Startup Pitch competition and masterclasses.

Policy discussion is supported by European Commission. The Digital Freedom Festival supporters: The Development Finance Institution Altum, Strategic Partner Lattelecom, Riga Tourism Development Office (Live Rīga), Pitch competition partner 500 Startups, Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF), The Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Latvia (Norden), The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Latvia, Law firm SORAINEN, Israeli Embassy in Latvia, The LR Ministry of Economics, The LR Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Content Partner RTU Riga Business School, Riga City Council, The USA Embassy in Latvia, SD Ventures, Httpool, Mailigen, Slush, Tribe, Latvian Startup Association and others.