Latvijas Finieris is not only an export champion, but has also done a lot in the field of innovation – the company was one of the first to sign a special loan agreement to invest in research, and is a very principled and socially responsible company. When Russia launched a full-scale aggression against Ukraine on 24 February last year, the Ukrainian flag was raised at the Latvijas Finieris building as one of the first in the country. “Latvijas Finieris, like many others, has stopped cooperating with the aggressor countries and has also done a lot to help Ukraine,” president of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs emphasised at the award ceremony on 14 December, when presenting the Export Champion award. “Many thanks to the management of Latvijas Finieris and all the employees who work every day to promote our export performance!”

The high award was received on behalf of the company by Jānis Ciems, chairman of the Board of Latvijas Finieris, and Māris Būmanis, member of the Board.

“It is an honour to receive this award. At the same time, various thoughts arise – how to produce what is needed, competitively, and how to deliver it to our customers. This requires educational support so that we have both engineers and civil servants who make adequate decisions. That requires smart employees. It also needs the support of the state to believe in the sustainability of the decisions we make, to have the courage to make brave decisions, to develop and to grow. I believe that it will be so, I believe in the country and in the possibilities for all of us!”

emphasised Jānis Ciems in his speech of thanks.

The Export and Innovation Award is organised annually by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Economics, the Central Statistical Office (CSO), the financial institution Altum and the Latvian Exporters Association, The Red Jackets.