2016

Golden cones have been awarded

Last week the most prominent people of the forest industry gathered in Latvia University of Agriculture in Jelgava to honour the winners of the “Zelta čiekurs” (Golden Cone) award. The forest industry annual awards ceremony has already become a tradition - this year it is already the 12th time that the award is presented.

President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis presented the "Zelta čiekurs" Lifetime Achievement Award to Jānis Bisenieks, Andris Krecers, Valdis Līdaka, Ivars Pētersons and Gunārs Veldre. "The true value of any independent and free country is its people - knowledgeable, willing and able. People, we can be proud of. Thank you for your contribution to strengthen the forest industry and to promote the Latvian economic growth," said the President.

Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis awarded Certificates of Recognition of the Cabinet of Ministers to the nominees of the Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as congratulated the winners of the Award for Innovative Entrepreneurship - SIA “Dižozols plus”, SIA “Latvāņi” and Andis Zelčs. The “Zelta čiekurs” award was granted to SIA “Latvāņi”.

Minister for Agriculture Jānis Dūklavs presented Honorary Diplomas and “Zelta sēkliņa” (Golden Seed) chest badges to the Lifetime Achievement Awards recipients, and congratulated the nominees of the Award for Contribution to Public Awareness Raising - Daina Bruņiniece, Jurģis Jansons and Anita Jaunbelzere. The Annual Award was granted to Jurģis Jansons.

Forest owners Modris Kalvāns, Gatis Strads and Artis Vaivods were announced the winners in the nomination for sustainable management. The Annual Award to Artis Vaivods was presented by Kaspars Gerhards, the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

The forest industry annual award "Zelta čiekurs" is one of the most significant events in the forest industry. Its ceremony was established and organised by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with JSC "Latvia's State Forests", as well as other forest sector companies and public organisations.

The "Zelta čiekurs" award embodies simplicity, openness and beauty of the Latvian forests. There is no better way how to express love for the forest, just as there is no better prize to reward the work done for the Latvian forests.

The forest industry exports about 75% of its production. Forest industry foreign trade balance is positive, i.e. exports of the Latvian forest industry exceed the volume of imports.