Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Internal Trade and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic attended today a ceremony at which the National award for socially responsible business in 2012 was awarded in the categories of small and medium-sized enterprises and large companies.

In the category of large companies the first place went to Hemofarm, followed by Telekom Srbija, Henkel, Erste Banka and the aluminum rolling mill Impol Seval.

In the category of small and medium-sized enterprises the first place went to SCS Plus, followed by Special Hospital “Merkur” from Vrnjacka Banja, Bozic i sinovi company, the Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases of Vojvodina and company Visan.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Ljajic said that it is commendable that there are companies that respect the rules of socially responsible business even during the economic crisis.

He recalled that the Strategy on socially responsible business has been adopted, but that steps need to be taken to ensure its implementation in practice.

He also noted that it is necessary to define what the state should do to encourage companies to socially responsible business.

The National award for socially responsible business in Serbia is awarded by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce every second year, starting from 2007.