Dear entrepreneurs!
It is an absolute pleasure for me to address you tonight in such a special place, the restored Riga Circus building, one of the oldest stand-alone circus buildings in Europe. The last time I was here was probably 50 years ago - it looks completely different!
Like this building, which is even older than our Latvian state (built in 1888), we are undergoing rapid changes and transformation.
After a record year for exports in 2021, this year has brought huge challenges for many businesses.
Russia's aggressive war in Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, energy price crisis - are just some of the external factors, impacting the economy. Digitalisation is becoming an integral part of entrepreneurs' daily lives, they are not resisting change but, on the contrary, seeing it as an opportunity.
The European Green Deal and digitisation policies are gaining momentum, and funds from the European Recovery Fund will start flowing into our economy this year.
That's why we all, as a society, benefit from companies that demand higher standards from themselves and their partners, operate according to best practice and value their people, who dedicate their knowledge, time and skills every day to help the company grow.
It is an investment in people, skills and knowledge that will be the key to Latvia's competitiveness in the global market.
I have repeatedly emphasized that education, science and innovation must be the basis of Latvia's economic breakthrough. I come from the first meeting of the new Cabinet of Ministers, where I gave a speech and particularly positively highlighted the fact that the new government declaration envisages doubling funding to 1.5% of GDP for higher education, science, research and innovation. This declaration, which is the foundation of the government, also contains a number of points that will improve the competitiveness of Latvian entrepreneurs in the European and world markets.
We need to invest today so that our society benefits from the innovations and technologies we produce. Investing in our own people will deliver the societal prosperity we seek.
The Ministry of Economics and the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) will also have a lot to do in the coming year. But there is already very good preparation work. I would like to highlight in particular the work of LIAA in promoting our export capacity.
I hope that businesses will continue to be able to rely on the foresight and support of LIAA, the Ministry of Economics and the entire public administration, especially in such difficult times for our economy.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the businesspeople and government employees, who have selflessly helped Ukrainian civilians this year by sending donations and providing support here in Latvia and in Ukraine.
We can all be proud of our society, which is showing immense compassion to the people of Ukraine at this time. If we add up all the forms of support - financial, humanitarian, military - Latvia is the world's largest aid donor to Ukraine, considering the volume of our gross domestic product. We can be proud of this solidarity that we show to another democratic country in Europe.
This is the seventeenth year running for the Export and Innovation Award, and it is an honour for me, as President of Latvia, to be the patron of this award.
I will be eagerly following the ceremony with you tonight, and congratulations to all the award winners, especially the “Export Champion”, whom I will have the honour of presenting at the end of the evening.
I wish you all a very pleasant and successful evening!
