For the 6th consecutive year, companies were invited to evaluate their sustainability performance in the Sustainability Index. Based on the references and data submitted, experts ranked the qualified companies in bronze, silver, gold and platinum categories. While the Platinum level was granted to Aldaris, Latvenergo and AmCham member Ventspils Nafta, three AmCham member companies - Cemex, Nordea Bank AB Latvia branch and SEB Bank - attained the Gold level. Coca-Cola HBC Latvia reached the Silver and GlaxoSmithKline and RISEBA were awarded among many companies for their sustainability performance in the Bronze level. In total 7 companies received Bronze, 18 Silver, 11 Gold and 3 Platinum awards.

Sustainability Index is a management tool for companies to assess their non-financial performance, including in the areas of strategy, market relations, society, the environment and working environment, thus promoting a sustainable way of doing business and improving the overall business climate in Latvia.

Robert Kirkup, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC Ventspils nafta:"Ventspils nafta Group and its subsidiaries have embedded its sustainability principles within its business strategy. We operate in a responsible manner, providing safe and efficient services. Responsible, sustainable and transparent business practice is one of the priorities of the VN Group's management team.

This year all three companies of the JSC Ventspils nafta Group (Ventspils nafta termināls Ltd ranked in platinum category, LatRosTrans Ltd and JSC Latvian Shipping Company in silver category) participated in the Sustainability Index. It is of great value for our Group's companies, as it is an opportunity for impartial evaluation of our corporate responsibility and it has allowed to assess the fields of our strength, as well as showed where improvements are still needed. Recommendations given by experts help employees and the management to purposefully make improvements and set new development goals for each company individually and for the Group in general."

Head of Nordea Latvia Jānis Buks: "It gives me great joy and gratification to receive this recognition which certifies the bank's efforts and good practices in the management of corporate social responsibility. To objectively assess our performance, we attribute particular importance to third party assessments - our employees, clients, cooperation partners and sector experts - which allows for the critical assessment of our everyday activities and implementation of the best principles of corporate social responsibility management."

Public Affairs and Communications Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Latvia, Dace Dricka: "Coca-Cola HBC's sustainability programs are long-term investments, building value over time for the business and communities where we operate. Consumer health and wellness is a key issue for the business and its communities as well as minimizing the environmental impact, developing sustainability in its value chain and creating value for the communities.

Sustainability is at the heart of our business, therefore also locally Coca-Cola HBC Latvia evaluates sustainability performance in the Sustainability Index in Latvia year by year to challenge ourselves for even higher performance and substantial improvements."