“The Red Jackets” Movement Rewards Outstanding Exporters, Reveals New Exporting Stars

 “If we do anything, then we must do it excellently, because otherwise there is no point in making the effort,” says former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, inspirer of “The Red Jackets” movement. She was talking about outstanding export brands, and that was no accident, because the Export Excellence Forum was held on October 22, “The Red Jackets” export excellence prizes were awarded, and rising export stars were presented.

As is the case at the Cannes Festival, Player Night and other ceremonies, a special prize was awarded at “The Red Jackets” event. It went to Maestro Raimonds Pauls as confirmation of our respect and thanks for the artist’s role in cultural exports.

The Gateway Baltic export consulting firm, the BDO financial consulting firm and the DDB Latvia advertising agency studied more than 1,300 exporting companies in Latvia to find the best ones. We looked at those companies with exports of more than EUR 1 million to determine the 100 best export brands. The 25 best ones were nominated for “The Red Jackets” title. The title “Rising Stars” was awarded to these rising export stars.

“The Red Jackets” are stylised windbreakers designed by Latvian fashion designer Agnese Narņicka, and they are perfect for our weather conditions. Rising stars received red vests.

“The Red Jackets” movement was established by Gateway Baltic, DDB and the MATKA Tribe brand nest, all of which are concerned about exports in Latvia and the image of our country abroad. The movement is supported by BaltCap, ALTUM, the Latvian Green Point, VARUL and BDO. Partners and friends include the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Latvian Confederation of Employers, the Latvian Foreign Ministry, the Latvian Institute, SSE Riga, Bit Event and Coface, and the number of partners is still increasing. Informational support for the movement is provided by the Kapitāls magazine and the LETA news agency.