Latvian export leaders and innovators were honoured at the Export and Innovation Award 2022 ceremony on 14 December at the renovated Riga Circus. The competition traditionally honours companies that have excelled in exports in the past year and have created new and innovative products or services. The competition is organised by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Economics, the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB), the financial institution Altum and the Latvian Exporters Association ‘The Red Jackets’.
Opening the Export and Innovation Award ceremony, President of Latvia Egils Levits emphasised: “We as a society benefit from companies that demand higher standards from themselves and their partners, that operate according to best practices and that value their people who dedicate their knowledge, time and skills on a daily basis to help the company grow. It is investment in people, skills and knowledge that will be the key to Latvia's competitiveness in the global market.” Mr Levits also thanked in particular those entrepreneurs and employees of state institutions who have selflessly helped Ukrainian civilians during the past year.
Minister of Economics Ilze Indriksone stressed that one of the priority areas of development for the Ministry of Economics in the next four years will be economic security. “You, entrepreneurs, deserve not only an excellent business environment at the Baltic level and help in bringing innovations to the market, but also as much stability as we can create in this changing geopolitical situation,” said Ilze Indriksone.
According to the competition rules, prizes were awarded in five categories “Export Newcomer”, “Export Leader”, “Export Champion”, “Innovation Champion” and “Most Exportable New Tourism Product”. Unlike in previous years, this year's winners, with the exception of the tourism category, were determined on the basis of data provided by the CSB. Data on companies' exports, value added, profitability, number of employees and other indicators were assessed.
“The Latvian economy is currently in transition; we are developing sectors that are able to work with higher added value. It is no coincidence that one of the key themes of the Government's declaration is “Transforming the Latvian economy for a better life in Latvia”. The transition to the so-called “smart” economy will require major investments. Entrepreneurs will have to take more risks, but the public administration must be able to offer effective support tools to make the process as smooth as possible,” said Kaspars Rožkalns, Director General of LIAA.
The “Export Champion” award has traditionally been presented by the President of the Republic of Latvia, and this year the award went to ‘Mikrotīkls’, a company whose value has exceeded one billion euros. ‘Mikrotīkls’ exports its products to more than 120 countries worldwide and is actively involved in many social initiatives. The “Innovation Champion” award was presented by the Minister of Economics Ilze Indriksone. For the second year in a row, ‘LMT’ received this award as the company that has invested the most in research and development, and created an environment where other companies can test their innovative products.
Two special awards were also presented during the event. The ‘Delfi’ Audience Choice Award went to ‘JA Travel’ from Liepāja, which won the readers' vote, with its product offering an authentic fishing experience and grilling of caught fish on the deck of a ship at sea. In the “Safe Exporter” category, the financial institution ‘Altum’ awarded the company ‘Valpro’.
Winners of the Export and Innovation Award 2022
“Export Champion” – ‘Mikrotīkls’ (telecommunications and technology company).
“Innovation Champion” – ‘LMT’ (telecommunications and technology company).
“Export Newcomer” in the group of companies with an export turnover between 50 and 200 thousand euros – ‘SMART AERO’.
“Export Newcomer” in the group of companies with an export turnover between 200 and 1 million euros – ‘INT-SOL UNLIMITED’.
“Export Newcomer” in the group of companies with an export turnover from 1 million and above – ‘KOHSEL’.
“Export Leader” in the knowledge-intensive bioeconomy in the woodworking sector in the group of small and medium-sized enterprises – ‘LATGRAN’.
“Export Leader” in the knowledge-intensive bioeconomy in the wood processing sector in the group of large enterprises – ‘LATVIJAS FINIERIS’.
“Export Leader” in the knowledge-intensive bioeconomy – food manufacturing sector in the group of small and medium-sized enterprises – ‘KARAVELA’.
“Export Leader” in the knowledge-intensive bioeconomy – food manufacturing sector in the group of large enterprises – ‘DOBELES DZIRNAVNIEKS’.
“Export Leader” in the biomedicine, medical technologies, pharmaceuticals sector in the group of small and medium-sized enterprises – ‘ICOTTON’.
“Export Leader” in the biomedicine, medical technologies, pharmaceuticals sector in the group of large enterprises – ‘GRINDEKS’.
“Export Leader” in the photonics and smart materials, technologies and engineering systems sector in the group of small and medium-sized enterprises – ‘LIGHT GUIDE OPTICS INTERNATIONAL’.
“Export Leader” in the photonics and smart materials, technologies and engineering systems sector in the group of large enterprises – ‘LEXEL FABRIKA’.
“Export Leader” in the smart energy and mobility sector in the group of small and medium-sized enterprises – Liepāja Special Economic Zone company ‘CALJAN’.
“Export Leader” in the smart energy and mobility sector in the group of large enterprises – ‘BUCHER MUNICIPAL’.
“Export Leader” in the information and communication technologies sector in the group of small and medium-sized enterprises – ‘ESTOTY’.
“Export Leader” in the information and communication technologies sector in the group of large enterprises – ‘TIETO LATVIA’.
In the category of the “Most Exportable New Tourism Product” in the group of small and medium-sized enterprises – ‘Nepieradinātās naktsmītnes’ (Untamed Accommodation) and a sensory adventure in nature, ‘Dont Panic’ in cooperation with ‘Skudras Metropole’ (Ants Metropole).
In the category of the “Most Exportable New Tourism Product” in the group of associations, foundations, planning regions or local municipality governments: Museum ‘Madame Hoyer's Guest House’, a branch of the Liepaja City Municipal Institution ‘Liepaja Museum’, 17–19th century interior museum ‘Madame Hoyer's Guest House’.
More about the competition – www.eib.liaa.gov.lv
