On Tuesday, 15 December, the Ministry of Economics in cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (IDAL) will present a special award – the Export and Innovation Award 2009 - to the most successful and innovative enterprises of Latvia for the fifth consecutive year.

The patron of the competition – State President Valdis Zatlers – will welcome the laureates. This year Latvia’s companies submitted 68 applications for the competition; 31 one them were selected for the second round. The best and most successful enterprises will be awarded in five different categories.

The objective of the award is to enhance competitiveness of Latvia’s businessmen in local and foreign markets, to facilitate increase of export and quality, the creation of products with high added value, as well as to promote development of innovation. Results achieved by companies during the previous year have been evaluated during the competition, as well as their products and services provided.

"We are very pleased, as competition among companies is very tough. This year very strong enterprises have applied for obtaining the title of the best exporting company. The selection process of the competition has shown that it will not be easy to make a choice and that the fight for the most successful exporting company will be hard,” indicates Andris Ozols, director of IDAL.

Companies will be awarded in five categories. The Most Export Capable Merchant will be chosen among groups of large/medium-sized and small enterprises. The novelties of this year’s nominations are: the Most Innovative Product and Import Substitute Product. Besides, the jury will decide which company, irrespective of the submitted applications, will be awarded the title of the Export Champion.

The awarding ceremony will take place on Tuesday, 15 December at 16:00 in the territory of the Riga Free Port. The patron of the competition – State President Valdis Zatlers, Minister for Economics Artis Kampars and director of IDAL Andris Ozols will participate in the event and congratulate the laureates of the Export and Innovation Award, the most active exporters and manufacturers of the most innovative products.

The winners will have an opportunity to participate free of charge in merchant delegations during foreign visits of the highest-ranking state officials, as well as in trade missions and individual business trips organised by IDAL, to use the quality standard mark, specially created for this competition, on products and informative materials.

Last year the best and most successful export companies of Latvia were AS Grindeks, SIA Nexum Insurance Technologies and SIA Real Sound Lab.

Source: www.nra.lv
 www.liaa.gov.lv
 13.12.2009

15.12.2009.