OREANDA-NEWS. December 14, 2012. Two leading Latvian companies in their sector - JSC "Grindeks" and JSC “airBaltic” have received International Diamond Prize for Excellence in Quality Convention. Prizes were presented by The European Society for Quality Research (ESQR). This year the award giving ceremony was held in Brussels, Belgium, and was attended by representatives from 41 countries.

The International Diamond Prize for Excellence in Quality Convention is awarded to especially selected companies and organizations from all over the world. In the evaluation of the companies and organizations, one of the most important criteria is client reviews. The ceremony was attended by business leaders from 41 countries, academic experts, quality professionals and diplomats. Participants had the opportunity to share their professional experiences and achievements, promote their business and country, as well as to meet with potential business partners. Bringing together the best professionals, the European Society for Quality Research is committed to spread the Quality culture in the world and those European values, ??on which the quality identification model of businesses and organizations is based on.

Juris Hmelnickis, Director of Quality of JSC "Grindeks": “Pharmaceutical manufacturing is among the most responsible areas of production as it relates to human life and health, therefore from the pharmaceutical industry especially high quality requirements are demanded. The company constantly improves its operations and production processes in order to increase production quality and to protect natural environment. For many years, "Grindeks" has taken part in the UN Global Compact movement and follows its ideas and objectives in social responsibility. I am glad that the company's achievements in the field of quality are measured and recognized in the international arena!”

Janis Vanags, Vice President Corporate Communications of “airBaltic”: “We are delighted to receive yet another international award recognizing the achievements of “airBaltic”, and we are fully committed to providing a quality service to our passengers travelling to and from airBaltic’s 60 destinations in Europe, Middle East, Russia/CIS.”

“airBaltic” has received a number of international awards and acknowledgments – it was ranked by Airlinetrends among the Top 10 airlines globally for innovations, and also received the Pacesetter Award from the Jury of the Budgies World Low Cost Airline Awards. „airBaltic” has also received the title of Airline of the Year 2009/2010 (Gold Award) from the European Regions Airline Association. “airBaltic” is also the winner of Air Transport World Phoenix Award 2010 – an award that has the same meaning for airlines as the Oscar award for filmmakers.

"Grindeks" was the first Latvian pharmaceutical company that received the Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice from the State Agency of Medicines of Latvia. Aspiration for international standards and continuous improvement of its operations have brought the company both the Latvian and international recognition. "Grindeks" has won the Latvian Environmental award in the category "Environmentally friendly management". Company's brand product Mildronate® over the years has been repeatedly recognized as the most exported product from Latvia. In 2010, "Grindeks" was recognised as the most export potential company of Latvia. For the excellence in investor relations "Grindeks" annually receives NasdaqOmx Baltic Market Awards. Various "Grindeks" medications regularly receive high estimation from health care providers and international recognition. "Grindeks" has also received the international award of Russia "Profession-Life"