Yesterday, on 26 May, the “Nameja balva” award ceremony of the best Latvian capital companies in Lithuania was held in Vilnius, and Parex Bankas was acknowledged and awarded as The Company That Paid Most Taxes to the Lithuanian Budget in 2009.

For the fourth year in a row the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of the Latvian Republic organise a competition and the award ceremony for the best Latvian companies operating in Lithuania. The goal of the competition is not only to honour the most successful Latvian companies but also to encourage the export of Latvian produce to Lithuania and the competitive edge of Latvian companies in the Lithuanian market. Latvian companies compete in several categories: the main prize is the golden “Ring of Nameisis” to be awarded for the highest growth of export. Other categories include “Social Partner”, “Best Employer”, “Company That Paid Most Taxes to the Lithuanian Budget” and “Best Partner – a Lithuanian Company”.

We are glad to inform that this year Parex Bankas was awarded as the “Company That Paid Most Taxes to the Lithuanian Budget”, with due consideration to the economic situation, it is an important and significant award. Let us remind you that last year the Latvian Chamber of Commerce recognised Parex Bank as being the best employer in Lithuania, in 2008 Parex Bank was awarded for the for the most rapid development of the company in Lithuania in 2007, and in 2007 it was named the best Latvian company in Lithuania.

About the award of the Ring of Nameisis

The main prise – the Ring of Nameisis – was not chosen by accident. As the legend goes, Nameisis was a Semigallian Duke of the 13th century who fought the invaders on his own land and also helped Lithuanian rulers. Before leaving for Lithuania, the ruler ordered his faithful warriors to make rings that would serve as the sign of identification. Today, the ring of Nameisis symbolises allegiance, friendship, courage and unity.