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Lion-Gri and Company Chairman Named Finalists in 2005 International Stevie Awards
Lion-Gri International, Inc. (OTCBB:LGII) today announced the Company and its Chairman, Greg Sonic, were both named as Finalists in "The 2005 International Business Awards."
Nicknamed the Stevie(TM) Awards for the Greek word "crowned," the awards are hailed as "the business world's own Oscars" by the New York Post (September 22, 2002).
The Stevie Awards were created to honor and generate public recognition of the efforts, accomplishments, and positive contributions of companies and business people worldwide. Companies and individuals from 21 countries were honored at The 2005 International Business Awards, Lion-Gri was named a Finalist in the "Best Overall Company" category and the Company's Chairman, Greg Sonic, was named a Finalist for "Best Chairman" in the 2005 International Stevie Awards.
"We would like to thank The International Business Awards and its Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors for considering both Lion-Gri and myself worthy of a Stevie Award. Being named as a Finalist for an International Stevie Award came as a much welcomed surprise and validates what the company and I have been working to achieve. Our goal has been to deliver quality products through quality business," stated Greg Sonic, CEO and Chairman.
Mr. Sonic continued, "A single International Stevie Award nomination for an individual or company is most appreciated, having our organization recognized on two fronts has been an exuberant experience. We will strive and continue to meet the level of business professionalism The Stevie Awards are recognized for honoring and once again, we would like to thank The International Business Awards for the nominations."
About The Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in three programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, and The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.
World Bank Aids CIS Countries, Entrepreneurism Shines
AXcess News has released a story covering the World Bank's latest round of loans to the Ukraine and a deeper look at the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) poorest country, Moldova, and the entrepreneurism found there in one small company who braved poverty to become the first company to ever list shares to trade on a U.S. stock exchange.
The World Bank announced a new round of loans for the Ukraine Wednesday sparking hopes of further economic development aid in some of the poorest countries in the Commonwealth of Independent states (CIS).
"The Ukrainian government has set out an ambitious agenda designed to transform the economic and social development of the country, and to enhance Ukraine's role in the global economy," said Paul Bermingham, World Bank Director for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova.
Following the break-up of the former Soviet Union, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (the Low-Income CIS-7 countries) faced a triple challenge to build new states, democratic institutions, and market economies.
The European Union along with the United States has offered CIS-7 countries their help, mostly in the form of economic aid and loan programs. The World Bank has budgeted $90 million in loans for Moldova for the 2005-2008 period. Moldova is the poorest European country with average income of only $420 a month, one-third the average cost of renting an apartment in the USA.
Being the poorest country in Europe, Moldova is trying hard to climb out of poverty, and entrepreneurship there is thriving. In January-May 2005, Moldova exported $125 million worth of wines -- up 8% against the same period in 2004, and 82% of that amount went to the Russian Federation.
Moldovan Agri-Industrial Agency Director General Mr. Valeriu Mironescu said that a French company with 40,000 wine shops it distributes to has shown interest in 20 Moldovan wine varieties.
"We have sent specimens of these wines, and the French side will decide which wines they will be buying, and in which amounts. These questions will be agreed on directly with wine producers, not with the Agency," said Mironescu.
The Director said that only 8% of Moldovan wine exports go to the European market. There, prices are 2 and even 3 times higher than the ones paid in former Soviet republics. "So each European buyer is extremely valuable to us," said Mironescu.
One of those wineries that stand out in bold entrepreneurism in the face of financial depression is Lion-Gri International, Inc. (OTC BB: LGII). LGI is the only Moldovan Company to ever trade publicly on a stock exchange in the United States. Led by Greg Sonic, a strong-willed and determined man, Lion-Gri International, Inc. has grown into one of the largest wine producers in Moldova, exporting 120 varieties of wine and alcohol products throughout Russia, Denmark, Poland, Western Europe and the United States. Sonic's company ships more than 16 million bottles of wine annually and, according to Mironescu, that number will most likely climb. Lion-Gri is a showcase of successful entrepreneurism for Moldovans and investors here might do well to watch its growth.
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