OREANDA-NEWS. March 10, 2010. During the award event ICC Lietuva of the Lithuanian business confederation, whose patron has been Bank SNORAS for several years already, awards were granted to the people who made the most merits for the Lithuanian business in 2009, reported the press-centre of Bank SNORAS.

“The Business Ambassador 2009” was announced during the award evening. H.E. Antanas Vinkus, the Lithuanian ambassador in the Russian Federation, was acknowledged as the person who was the most active in promoting the Lithuanian and foreign business partnership last year. He was awarded “The Business Ambassador” prize. Bank SNORAS established this nomination for the persons who are the best at representing the interests of the Lithuanian business and businessmen abroad and the bank presents it to the nominees every year.

The ambassador A. Vinkus was recognized and awarded as “The Business Ambassador” for the consistent activity, efforts, achieved results in the economic diplomacy, for creating the investment attractiveness of the country, export development, the established broad partnership relations while working in the Lithuanian diplomatic representative offices, for maintaining and constantly expanding direct relations with representatives of the business community, representing and defending the interests, for new ideas, initiating various events, for the creative and constructive work with the Lithuanian communities abroad.

“By this nomination we seek to give a sense to the example of a successful representation of the Lithuanian economic interests because from our own experience we can testify that an active assistance and initiative of the diplomats in representing interests of the country’s businessmen, frequently becomes a great value for business or the springboard for a good business start,” stated Romasis Vaitekunas, the deputy chairman of the Board of AB Bank SNORAS, while presenting the prize.

Every year as the winner of “The Partnership Leader 2009” nomination is chosen the person, who was actively seeking a mutually beneficial and transparent cooperation of the authorities and business, with his works contributed to more favourable conditions for improving business, represented the interests of Lithuania abroad or otherwise significantly contributed to creating the name and image of Lithuania.

Dainius Kreivys, the Minister of Economy, was announced as the person who brought most merits to the state and business partnership in 2009. The minister was granted “The Partnership Leader” award.

“The Minister Dainius Kreivys is awarded for the active and purposeful activity, while promoting competitiveness and economic independence of Lithuanian companies; for courage to take up innovative projects, novelties and initiatives; for understanding and promoting the relations of the government institutions and business communities, while seeking a transparent social dialogue and effective partnership,” said Algimantas Akstinas, the general director of the Lithuanian business confederation ICC Lietuva.

In 2001 – 2008, the main prize of “the Partnership Leader” was already awarded to: Mr. Rolandas Barysas, Mr. Ricardas Malinauskas, Mr. Gediminas Kirkilas, Ms. Dalia Grybauskaite, Mr. Reinoldijus Sarkinas, H.E. Algirdas Brazauskas, H.E. Valdas Adamkus. Vygaudas Usackas, the then Minister of the Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, was chosen “The Lithuanian Business Ambassador” in 2008.