100 outstanding Latvian export brands to be honoured

To mark Latvia’s centenary, this week at the House of the Blackheads, the country’s highest-ranking officials will honour Latvia’s outstanding export brands, which carry our country’s name around the world. As part of the “Export Excellence Forum”, which will be ceremonially opened by President Raimonds Vējonis, 20 outstanding Latvian export brands and 10 rising export stars will be honoured, bringing the total to the symbolic number of 100.

“To mark Latvia’s centenary, we want to highlight 100 outstanding Latvian export brands that are not only an important driving force of our economy, but also shape our country’s image and positive recognition abroad. Today, these 100 outstanding companies together create 30,000 jobs and account for 20% of Latvia’s exports; moreover, we have witnessed companies grow and develop rapidly. The success of these companies also inspires others,” says movement initiator Inese Andersone. So far, 50 Latvian companies have received the title “The Red Jackets” and the red jacket created by fashion designer Agnese Narņicka, symbolising the courage to be different and stand out, while 21 companies have received the title “The Rising Stars”, or rising export stars.  

“The Export Excellence Forum is an annual event that encourages people to learn from and draw inspiration from Latvian export leaders and experts. This year’s forum focuses on productivity, innovation and branding. At the forum, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, will ceremonially open Latvia’s digital export platform, created in cooperation with the digital agency CUBE. In one place, the platform will present Latvia’s export strengths, sectors and advantages in a digital, accessible and interactive format, telling the story of our brands’ achievements around the world. The event will conclude with a ceremonial awards ceremony for “The Red Jackets” and “Rising Stars”. Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga will congratulate the recipients of the “The Red Jackets” title, while Minister of Culture Dace Melbārde will ceremonially announce the recipients of the “Rising Stars” title.

The Export Excellence Forum will take place on 19 October at 12:30 p.m. at the House of the Blackheads. Uldis Rutkaste, a representative of Latvijas Banka, will speak about Latvia’s economic forecasts; Vjačeslavs Dombrovskis, a representative of the Certus think tank, will examine the challenges facing Latvia’s exports; and Mārtiņš Zemītis of the European Commission will present the opportunities available to Latvian exporters in the European context. Representatives of the export companies Karavela and Evopipes will discuss increasing productivity as one of the economic challenges, while The Red Jackets export leaders—companies Aerodium, Vendon and Lattelecom—will share their experience of promoting innovation.

Registration: http://ej.uz/forums2017

The “The Red Jackets” movement was established by like-minded people who care about Latvia’s exports and its image abroad, and brings together partners from the public, non-governmental and private sectors. The movement’s aim is to seek out, bring to light and honour Latvia’s outstanding export brands that have successfully conquered foreign markets and carry Latvia’s name around the world.

So far, inspiring stories about Latvia’s outstanding export brands and rising export stars have been compiled in two books, the first volume of the series being published in 2014. During Latvia’s centenary, a third edition of the inspirational book will join them, symbolically concluding the series and telling 100 stories of excellence about the most successful exporters and those who carry Latvia’s name around the world.

The movement and Latvia’s export leaders are supported by the European Commission Representation in Latvia, “BaltCap”, “ALTUM”, “EcoBaltia”, “BDO Law”, Gateway&Partners, while its partners and friends include several public and non-governmental organisations, such as LTRK, LDDK, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Latvian Institute, “SSE Riga” and DDB Latvia; an increasing number of partner organisations and friends are joining it.