2019’s Outstanding Latvian Exporters Honoured
On Thursday, 21 November, the Export Excellence Forum organised by the export support movement “The Red Jackets” took place at the Valmiera Drama Theatre. During the forum, in the presence of the country’s highest-ranking officials, Latvia’s most promising new exporters were announced for the fourth time. This year, the formal awards ceremony took place as part of the World Latvian Economics and Innovation Forum (PLEIF), whose aim is to promote Latvia’s economic growth and innovation by strengthening cooperation among professionals working in various business sectors in Latvia and around the world. The forum’s main theme this year was Latvia’s strategic communication and the potential of creative talent.
The Export Excellence Forum was opened by President of Latvia Egils Levits and Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zanda Kalniņa-Lukašēvica, who congratulated this year’s most promising exporting entrepreneurs in inspiring speeches. Immediately afterwards, “The Red Jackets” founder Inese Andersone took the stage and introduced those present to the movement’s 2019 study of Latvia’s outstanding exporters who confidently carry the country’s name around the world.
From all the candidates nominated for the titles “The Red Jackets” and “Rising Stars”, the jury carefully selected 10 of Latvia’s leading export brands and 10 rising export stars, which now join the 100 outstanding Latvian exporters honoured previously. This year, the companies Catchbox, Crosschem, Dores Fabrika, Erica Synths, GameChanger Audio, Kote Labs, Kronus, Latvijas Mobilais Telefons, Pranamat Eco and Volburg were among the recipients of the promising “The Red Jackets” title. During the awards ceremony, the company “Rūjienas saldējums” received the special award from the movement’s principal partner, Citadele Bank—the sports shoes of Latvian basketball star Kristaps Porziņģis—along with a formal address by Anna Fišere-Kaļķe, Head of the Private Customer Service Directorate.
In contrast, the “Rising Stars” award for rising export stars was presented to the companies Alina, Azeron, Babbit and Friends, Riga Jurmala Music Festival Management, Smartfoody, om , which have now become full-fledged recipients of the “The Red Jackets” award by reaching ever new export markets and increasing their competitiveness compared with other start-ups worldwide. They were congratulated on stage by Evija Zaķe, ALTUM’s expert support representative, and Mārtiņš Tiknuss, co-owner of the export consultancy Gateway & Partners, who presented each of them with a red honorary jacket.
“Together with the “The Red Jackets” movement, we are pursuing a common goal—to strengthen exporting companies by providing the support they need for their development and growth. At Citadele, we know how important it is to be there at the right moment and provide more opportunities for business. Latvia has enormous potential in export-capable talent, as we clearly saw in the “Rising Stars” and “The Red Jackets” competitions. I am convinced that, through smart and strategic business decisions, good advisers, creativity and diligence, together we will promote Latvia’s recognition and the development of the entire economy,” comments Citadele Head of the Private Customer Service Directorate, Anna Fišere-Kaļķe.
