LATVIA. Global spirits company Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has announced its support for the people of Ukraine, as the Russian invasion is extended.
In a statement, ABG said it has donated financial resources to the Stand With Ukraine initiative. The group is also encouraging the governments of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to consider streamlining legislation to enable ABG and other companies to offer jobs to Ukrainian refugees by easing the process of obtaining work permits and supporting temporary residences.
ABG said its companies in the Baltic States are “ready to coordinate the provision of necessary supplies for Ukrainians who had to flee their homeland, working with organisations to help purchase or provide necessary materials”.
Amber Beverage Group Chief Executive Officer Jekaterina Stuģe commented: “With deep roots in the Baltic region, we could not silently observe what is happening from the sidelines.
“Together with much of the world we are sharing sadness and deep concerns due to the escalating situation in Ukraine and we are looking for practical opportunities to help.
“Military action in Ukraine is unacceptable for us and we aim to offer support to the people affected. Apart from the donation, we will be looking for further opportunities to give aid to our near neighbours.”
Stuģe emphasised that ABG is a Luxembourg-headquartered, global company. “Our business and our core brands – like Moskovskaya vodka, Riga Black Balsam, Rooster Rojo tequila and others – are international brands, built on cultural heritage and produced in Latvia, Estonia, Ireland, or Mexico, mainly using production materials from European countries,” she said.
ABG acknowledged that the escalation of the military and political situation would potentially impact the company’s business.
“We are agile and ready to employ an innovative approach to find the best solutions to minimise risk for our business and help people that are in trouble,” the company added.
ABG has informed its 2,000 employees and partners of its stand and the ABG management team is working to assess the potential impact of the situation. An action plan for the successful and sustainable operation of the Group is being developed and customised to meet the changing situation.
