University of Latvia receives the “Red Jackets” Export Excellence Award

The red jacket and letter of acknowledgement was presented to the Director of the UL Department of Accounting and Finance Māris Lazdiņš by the former President of Latvia (1999–2007) Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga. “The Export Excellence Award is a direct and conclusive acknowledgment that the quality of studies provided by the UL has an international export capability. Furthermore, this award is a significant recognition of the accomplishments in providing the international study environment. Being aware of its duty to Latvia, the UL will continue its work to enable those students, who have not had the opportunity to gain international experience, could acquire it here in Latvia, while studying among international students and obtaining contacts for the future cross-border cooperation already during their studies,” emphasized the UL International Mobility Unit Coordinator Agnese Rusakova. “The exporters are a support to Latvia’s economy and an evidence of country’s capability. These brands inform the world of our country and is the best visiting card of Latvia,” underlines the President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis at the opening of the Export Excellence Forum. The “Red Jackets” and “Rising Stars” award ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Culture Dace Melbārde, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, the former President of Latvia Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, the Director General of the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia (LDDK) Līga Menģelsone, Representation of the European Commission in Latvia, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, partners and entrepreneurs. The Rising Star title and symbolic red jackets were awarded to 10 rising export stars and promising companies – Anatomy Next, Art Fairs Service, CakeHR, Edurio, Ette-Tete, Mintos, Nordigen, One Wolf, PlayGineering Systems, and Sonarworks. Notably, 8 out of 10 titled companies belong to IT sector.    This year, the Red Jackets title was received by 20 excellent exporters that carry the name of Latvia across the borders – Turiba University, D8 Corporation, Elko Group, Krassky, Kreiss, cooperative partnership LATRAPS, Latvijas Piens, The University of Latvia, Nordtext, Peruza, Pharmidea, Printful, Skonto Prefab, Tenapors, TestDevLab, Troll Smiltene, Twino, X Infotech, Z-Light. Four companies – Pure Chocolate, Vizulo, Brain Games and Infogr.am, which previously were awarded the Rising Stars title and in a couple of years showed rapid growth, exceeding 1 million euro export turnover, also received Red Jackets. The information of all 100 export brands is available on the digital platform www.treasuresoflatvia.com, providing an interactive opportunity to learn about export of Latvia. This platform has been created with the support of the Republic of Latvia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to inform about successful export companies, their presence and accomplishments in the world markets. The Red Jackets movement was created by like-minded people, who are dedicated to evolving the export of Latvia and country’s international image, and assembles partners from public, non-governmental, and private sector. The objective of the movement is to find, publicize and award the most outstanding Latvian brands, which have successfully entered the foreign markets and promotes the name of Latvia in the world.