OREANDA-NEWS. May 17, 2012. The achievements of Swedbank in the area of environmental protection were recognised in the National Responsible Business Awards. The Bank was granted the award in the category of foreign enterprises for the engagement of its business partners into sustainable development and their education. Overall, 12 Lithuanian and foreign enterprises contributing to the creation of social wellbeing and the reduction of the adverse impacts on the environment were awarded, reported the press-centre of Swedbank.

“We are introducing the principles of social responsibility into our business. The award was granted because we ask our suppliers and corporate clients to provide information about the ways they observe the principles of sustainability and social responsibility in their business”, says Lina Daniene, Sustainability and Societal Affairs Manager at Swedbank Lithuania. "During annual interviews with the clients the managers of corporate clients seek to understand what is important for them and have to assess to what extent the principles of social responsibility are observed in their business. It is a significant and decisive innovation on the market. Therefore, this award is of particular importance”.

According to Vytautas Buciunas, the Head of Corporate Banking Division at Swedbank Lithuania, such acknowledgement of business sustainability in specific business projects is not a mere formality. “On the contrary, it is a valuable contribution towards a sustainable society and it is a great delight that such initiatives are recognised”, he says.

National Responsible Business Awards have already been held for five years. This is the highest acknowledgement business enterprises can be awarded for the activities and initiatives in the area of socially responsible business in Lithuania.