A digital platform opened on excellence in export

On 19 October, Zanda Kalniņa–Lukaševica, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took part in the inauguration of a digital platform for Latvian exports. The interactive digital platform treasuresoflatvia.com devised with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will present 100 successful export companies, their presence and achievements in the world markets.

“This is a major initiative with a high potential, an opportunity for dynamic cooperation between businesses and the public sector,” said Zanda Kalniņa–Lukaševica at the opening event. “I hope the digital platform will prove to be a live and evolving format. We definitely do not intend to stop at what has been achieved and we are open to putting new ideas into action. I believe that this platform could further unfold to tell everyone about the strengths and successes of Latvian companies,” the Parliamentary Secretary noted.  

In her address to the audience, the Parliamentary Secretary said: “I am truly pleased that the companies which we find in this digital treasure chest include not only export heavyweights, whose success in foreign markets has grown alongside Latvia after it regained its independence, but also companies which have earned their place on the list due to rapid growth in recent years.”

The digital platform on export launched today has been has been created as a project under the Foreign Ministry’s public diplomacy programme ahead of the centennial of Latvia. The public diplomacy programme is developed to contribute strongly to priority areas in Latvia’s foreign policy – the economic growth of the country, and strengthening its security.

“The centennial anniversary is an excellent opportunity for drawing our foreign partners’ attention to Latvia’s achievements and promote further cooperation in concrete projects – in economy, culture, education and science,” said Zanda Kalniņa–Lukaševica.

At the outset, the platform will feature visualisations of 70 companies, which have won their Rising Stars and The Red Jackets titles in the past years. In the near future, 30 more names of award winners will be added to the platform.

During the export excellence forum, awards were bestowed on 20 most successful Latvian exporting brands and ten most promising companies – “Rising Stars”. The Red Jackets, a movement of like-minded people, brings together partners from the public, non-governmental and private sectors. The association aims at identifying, highlighting and rewarding Latvia’s most visible export brands which have successfully captured foreign markets and are making Latvia’s name known abroad.