Welcome to our CSR Report, pub-lished semi-annually to give you the latest update on AmCham’s initiatives in the area of CSR.

On December 9, the UN Internatio-nal Anti-Corruption Day was mar-ked with the awards ceremony of the innovative anti-corruption video contest, organized by KNAB, the US Embassy and AmCham. After carefully reviewing 46 entries, a panel of judges selected 11 fina-lists. Every year by organizing spe-cial activities and creative contests on anti-corruption, KNAB aims at reaching out to young people of Latvia to raise awareness of the consequences of corruption with the slogan: Your “No” counts!

The Chief of KNAB Jaroslavs Strel-cenoks urges youth in particular to say „no” to corruption through their creative work and flight of thought.

1st prize was awarded to Edgars Trankalis for his video «For a better future.»

2nd prize was awarded to Pavels Jacuks for his video «Corruption will not be tolerated!»

Over the past year AmCham continu-ed its strong commitment to promo-ting Corporate Social Responsibility. For the first time in recent history all the foreign chambers in Latvia came together to promote CSR at an event in February with AmCham taking the lead as the main organizer.

In December, the anti-corruption vi-deo contest together with our part-ners was organized to raise aware-ness on transparency among the Latvian youth. Both events illumina-ted issues of transparency aiming at achieving a level playing field and en-hancing the business environment.

“Cooperation between the Embassy and AmCham

to strengthen the rule of law in Latvia has

never been stronger. US Ambassador Garber

December, 2011

Each “no

“

to corruption counts

REPORTAmCham CSR

We extend our sincere thanks to the supporters without whom the con-test would not have been possible:

AON Baltic for offering 1-month paid internship and Manchester United Home shirt .

Coca-Cola HBC for providing an I-pod Nano .

Exigen Services Latvia for their support and a promotional prize .

KPMG for offering Business start-up mentoring .

Microsoft Latvia for offering 1-month paid internship and promo-tional prizes

Nordea Bank for offering 1-week paid internship .

PricewaterhouseCoopers for pro-viding Hands on experience on audit, tax and consulting

Radisson Blu Hotels for their sup-port and promotional prizes

3rd prize was awarded to Ruta Aprupe for her video «With KNABing against corruption!»

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS!WWelcome

Asked about the cooperation, the US Ambassador said: “Cooperation bet-ween the Embassy and AmCham to strengthen the rule of law in Latvia has never been stronger. I’d like to commend the Chamber for its efforts to improve the business climate here in Latvia with their events and wor-king groups.”

Is Corporate Governance top challenge in Latvia?

Corruption destroys citizens’ basic sense of fairness

Thank you to the judges who helped select winners!

Anete Daukste, KPMGIlze Falkovska, PwCIeva Keviesena, Coca-Cola HBC Anneli Joesalu, Microsoft Zane Matesovica, MicrosoftLiga Niedola, AON BalticLiga Smildzina-Bertulsone, AmChamJana Strogonova, Nordea BankVija Tirzmale, RMHC Latvija

Transparency

The U.S. Embassy in Riga and the Baltic Institute of Corporate Gover-nance (BICG) hosted a high level pa-nel discussion on the best gover-nance practices at the State Ow-ned Enterprises (SOEs) in Latvia. The goal of the discussion was to support a public debate and efforts towards improving Latvia’s econo-mic outlook, promoting transparen-cy and fighting corruption through innovative solutions to the unique challenges facing SOEs. The moder-ator of the event was Daiga Auzina-Melalksne, Chairman of the Mana-gement Board of NASDAQ OMX Riga and Board member of AmCham who emphasized: “Proper gover-nance requires depoliticization of decision-making and the operational separation of the state’s sharehol-der oversight from its industrial policy and regulatory functions.” US Ambassador Garber told: “Corpora-te governance of State-Owned En-

In October AmCham held a break-fast with Judge Ilana Rovner of the US Court of Appeals to discuss an-ti-corruption measures in the US. Judge Rovner emphasized the rele-vance of exposing public corruption and explained that the rule of law is of paramount importance for vibrant democracy. Drawing from her vast experience, she offered an in-depth

high-rank public officials were inves-tigated and prosecuted on federal corruption charges.

insight into several cases where

cantly, it destroys citizens’ basic sense of fairness and rightness and breeds cynicism, anger, hostility and deep hatred through all levels of so-ciety”, Judge Rovner told.

„Corruption interferes with govern-ment’s efficiency, but most signifi-

“Proper governance requires depoliticization

of decision-making and the operational

separation of the state’s shareholder oversight from

its industrial policy and regulatory functions.

terprises is a major challenge in many economies, including in Latvia. One of the main challenges is for the government to exercise its ow-nership functions without undue political pressure and interference in the company’s management.”

„Corruption interferes with government’s efficiency, but most significantly, it destroys citizens’ basic sense of fairness and right-ness and breeds cynicism, anger, hostility and deep hatred through all levels of society.”

Judge Ilana Rovner

Breakfast meeting with Judge Rovner

Interactive Sustainability Report by Hauska & PartnerHauska & Partner (HP) has released Its first interactive online Sustainabi-lity Report which can be found at http://sustainability.hauska.com. The online Sustainability Report “Our way to sustainability” provides a descrip-tion of Hauska & Parner's sustainable practices in 2009/10 reporting pe-riod and most up to date news from 2011. Thanks to interactivity, stake-holders can review, comment and evaluate H&P report, thus creating a platform for opinion exchange and putting emphasis on transparency of operations.

Experts appreciate member sustainabilitySustainability Index is a management tool to assess non-financial perfor-mance of companies, developed on the basis of global methodology in or-der to help Latvian enterprises to become more sustainable, and to promote CSR. We asked experts of Sustainability Index to point out some of the key CSR practices of AmCham members indicating the areas where they have contributed most.

Coca-Cola Hellenic Latvia was listed in the silver category, achieving index level by 60%-79,9%. The performan-ce of Coca-Cola HBC has been asses-sed in five categories of sustainable activity. Experts especially emphasi-zed Coca-Cola’s achievements in suc-cessful leadership management and leadership development in general.

Nordea bank was listed in the silver level of Index. Experts underlined the scope and quality of various CSR ac-tivities of Nordea. The bank carries out various satisfaction surveys and studies each year for their employees and customers alike. In addition, Nordea is actively engaged in various debates of socio-political and econo-mic issues. Nordea has also establi-shed the Nordea Business School to-gether with the leading human re-sources management and consulting companies helping emerging compa-nies to create successful businesses. Furthermore, the bank provides a real help in finding new jobs for those

„Sustainability is one of the key com-ponents for success. In our companywe create the culture of sustainabili-ty by helping our people understand the issues and our approach as well as their role in helping us achieve success. In 2012 we will continue to improve our performance, ensure sustainable growth of our business and continue to support local com-munities.”

Ieva Keviešena, Public Affairs & Com-munications Manager of Coca-Cola Hellenic Latvia told:

Dagnija Lejiòa, Head of Public Relations, Nordea:

Aiga Veckalne, Director of Skrivanek Baltic:

Gints Pakarklis, Chairman of the Board, Olympic Casino Latvia:

“Sustainability is one of the key components for success.”

employees who terminate their em-ployment relationship.

Olympic Casino, another member lis-ted in the silver level , together with the Latvian Association of Gaming Business implements strategic in-vestment in the community by sup-porting the campaign "Be free" with an aim to address young people, their parents, teachers and society as a whole. This campaign promotes the view that it is cool to be free from any addiction and much more interesting than to depend on the seemingly pleasurable substances.

“Gaming industry is the one that possib-ly stirs the most emotions in our so-ciety. Therefore for us it is important to participate in the Sustainability Index

"Being a great company means being great when it comes to CSR as well. We have set ambitious targets for the company in the Group's level as well as in Latvia in all other respec-ts and CSR should also be included in our strive towards a Great Nordea. We are convinced that res-ponsible business goes hand in hand with sustainable business results."

"Experts of Sustainability Index have also assessed performance of Skrivanek Baltic in several categories of sustainable activity. Skrivanek Baltic was listed in the bronze cate-gory this year. Experts particularly praised Skrivanek for supporting fle-xible forms of work, including an op-portunity to work from home, thereby contributing to balancing the emplo-yees' time and energy between work and family.

Both big companies with large in-comes and high rentability indicators, and smaller companies with compa-ratively fewer options participate in the Sustainability Index. I believe that Skrivanek Baltic has successfully shown that even a company with a smaller financial potential is capable of being socially responsible. From its very beginning Skrivanek Baltic has regularly organized various events, worked to improve working conditions for its employees and recycled. It’s important to think in the long-term and to understand how to most effectively utilze the daily opportuni-ties available to us – how to earn in-come in the long-term and how to satisfy not only the needs of our company’s owners, but the needs of our employees and of third parties as well.”

“We are convinced that responsible business goes hand in hand with sustainable business results.” “Skrivanek Baltic

has successfully shown that even a company with a smaller finan-cial potential is capable of being socially responsible.

to gain objective evaluation of our efforts in responsible operation of the company. In addition, it is a pos-sibility to communicate what we are doing in the area of CSR and to get feedback to continue further align-ment of our business towards being more sustainable.“

The Environment

Community support

Waste sorting program popular amongst membersExtending support to local communities for 12 years

McHappy Day collects 8804 LVL

Nordea promotes bike-friendly environment

Boosting youth achievements in Latvia

EkoBirojs is a waste sorting program that helps companies implement sor-ting of waste in their offices, thus reducing their ecological footprint as well as precisely report on their was-te management by placing new sor-ting containers in their offices.

To support local communities in the Baltics, Coca-Cola Hellenic is orga-nizing a charity project Coca-Cola Christmas Caravan in Latvia every year. The project, aiming at helping children in need, started 12 years ago as a gift collection. During these years Coca-Cola has developed Christmas Caravan’s mechanism and has engaged other charity partners in collection of donations.

World Children’s Day is an annual McDonald’s fundraising event held every year in November under one fundraising banner – McHappy Day. This year 8,804 LVL were raised by all McDonald’s restaurants for the mobile healthcare center program implemented by RMHC Latvija.

Our members Aon Baltic, Microsoft Latvia, Nordea Bank, Philip Morris Latvia, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Skrivanek Baltic have joined the prog-ram. Recently, our member Hauska & Partner also joined this initiative sin-ce sorting waste has always been an integral part of their green office ap-proach.

Nordea Bank received a special re-cognition from the Riga City Council Traffic Department and the cyclist vortal "veloriga.lv" for their partici-pation in the campaign "Cyclist-friendly". Ivars Šmits, Chairman of the Board of Nordea Finance Latvia explains: "I am also one of the Nordea's most active cyclists. It goes with Nordea’s common under-standing and thinking about the en-vironment."

Sorting of waste at Hauska & Partner

In recent years Coca-Cola Hellenic Latvia has established a strong colla-boration with the business education association “Junior Achievement – Young Enterprise”, supporting its mission to engage with and inspire young people and promote entrepre-neurship and financial literacy. Coca-Cola Hellenic was awarded as 2011 Socially Responsible Partner in Entrepreneurship Education Develop-ment in the large enterprises catego-ry by Junior Achievement.

"Have your ever seen your Guardian Angel? No? 3 years old Milena who has a complicated eye cancer soon will see hers - Carlo, Fenoel and all the great people from 77agency. 77agency will make surgery possibleand will cover her travel expences to Switzerland. Thank you! Together we can make a difference!", added Vija Tirzmale, Director of RMHC.

Community supportRMHC Latvija improves lives of more than 1700 children

It’s been another great year for Ronald McDonald House Charities Latvija and the Care Mobile. Since January 2011, the Care Mobile has been running and helping children in Latvia together with State Children’s hospital. It has served more than 1700 children, visited 33 places and ran 13 800 km in 2011 thanks to the support of many donors.

“We believe that when you change a child’s life, you change a family’s and ultimately the world. We strive to be part of that change and part of the solution in improving the lives of children and their families. Thank you all for support and hope to see you on the board of Care Mobile already in 2012!”, told Vija Tirzmale, Direc-tor of RMHC Latvija. If you would like to support RMHC Latvija and help children, visit RMHC Latvija on Facebook and Twitter.

RMHC Latvija would like to thank all its supporters: American Chamber of Commerce, Cemex, Coca-Cola HBC Latvia, Diatom Enterprises, DHL Latvia, Hotel Bergs, Hotel Grand Palace, IWC of Riga, LAWIN, Linstow, Merck Sharp & Dohme Latvija, Olympic Casino Latvia, Premier Restaurants, KPMG, Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts, RB Management, Rotary International Club, Skrivanek Baltic, US Embassy in Latvia, Who walks the Dog and many private do-nors.

“We strive to be a part of the solution in improving

the lives of children and their families.

Nordea and Lejasstrazdi children present an animated film Nordea together with the children of Lejasstrazdi and artist Dace Liepa have already prepared a Christmas present to their customers and partners. The children of Lejasstrazdi and bank employees are authors of this creative and sweet animated film “Greeting to friends”. Play it here: www.nordeasveiciens.lv

“Greeting to friends” is a story about friendship, inspired by children’s drawings and animated film stories. Every website visitor will also be able to create their own celebration gree-ting and forward it to their friends. For each retweet of the greeting on Twitter, Nordea donates 10 santims to the children of Lejasstrazdi.

Thus, this year with the help of this jointly created animated film, we would like to wish everybody – A Year Full of Friends!”

The family support center Lejasstraz-di in Dobele district provides home to children and young people aged 2 to 18, who have been left without pa-rental support.

Jana Strogonova, Customer Service Network Manager of Nordea says: “Traditionally, the time of celebration is mainly associated with charity and presents. However, true friendship is based on time, care and the joy of being together that we can give as a present to one another each day.

Jana Strogonova, Nordea Bank

Members take part in 27×3 Marathon Challenge

14 puppet theater performances brought to children in Latvian regions

Skrivanek lends a hand to Animal Shelter

On September 14 several AmCham members took part in the Riga leg of the 27 x 3 Kinder European Endu-rance. Challenge aimed at spreading a message of solidarity across the EU during the European Year of Vo-lunteering, as well as raising funds to support local charity projects in each country. In Latvia 50% of funds raised went to RMHC Latvija.

During Christmas the Rietumu Chari-ty Fund has prepared a special pre-sent for children in different parts of Latvia – an opportunity to visit the Latvian Puppet Theater performan-ces near their homes. This winter 14 Latvian towns will host the perfor-mances about the candle-maker elf to their little residents.

On 1 October, Skrivanek Baltic invi-ted animal lovers to help out with fall cleaning at the Dzîvnieku Draugs Ani-mal Shelter. The event, which was organized by Skrivanek Baltic and Galerija Istaba, was part of the Lend a Helping Paw Charity Campaign.

Additional information about perfor-mances are available in www.puppet.lv, www.rblf.lv and in recreation centers.

Nordea business school offers mentoring to 50 young entrepreneurs

Nordea named Family-friendly enterprise

During the next six months, 50 Latvian young entrepreneurs will complement their knowledge, free of charge, at Nordea Business School, where experienced business consul-tants will provide support for suc-cessful implementation of their ideas into life. “Evaluation of nearly 300 applicants confirmed that with each next step they take into the busi-ness world, the young entrepreneurs become more realistic and more cri-tical,” explaines Nordea Customer Strategies manager Kr ist îne Lomanovska.

Nordea Bank has received the status of Family-friendly enterprise, which is granted by the Ministry of Welfare together with the Sustainability In-dex to the employers that have chil-dren and family-friendly operational policy and services.

According to Helma Purvinska, Direc-tor of Nordea's HR Department: "The concept of life and work balance, which several years ago was a new and often declarative for the Latvian business environment, now has ac-quired a significant role within the business sustainability context.”

Nordea Bank’s 530 employees have 346 children below the age of 18 years. Currently 70 workers - young mothers - are on the parental leave.

People

This was the second time the event was held. Approximately 40 people arrived to help and accomplished ma-ny tasks – they cleaned up the area around the animal shelter, trimmed dried-out tree branches, mowed the lawn, cleaned out the dog kennels and took the dogs for walks. Many of the volunteers who showed up also donated some much needed items to the shelter, including old blankets, pillows, coats, newspapers, toys, professional pet food, leashes, clea-ning supplies, cat boxes and kitty lit-ter. After their hard work was done, the volunteers were treated to a de-licious soup lunch.