Russian firms make strides on CSR agenda

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Russian companies are making progress on corporate social responsibility, according to a study on the country’s business standards.

The report, from the International Business Leaders’ Forum, says Russia’s business environment ‘poses severe and special challenges’, but ‘change is clearly taking place’ and lessons are being learned from best practice in western Europe.

Improving business standards in Russia singles out four companies – SUEK (coal and energy), TNK-BP (oil), Troika Dialog (financial services) and United Energy Systems – for their efforts to ‘improve transparency in the supply chain, develop internal audit systems and tackle corruption’.

The study is the product of a six-month programme of Moscow-based roundtables supported by Baker & McKenzie, Ernst & Young and KPMG. It was presented at IBLF’s Second Russian Business Summit, held at the London Stock Exchange.

The IBLF, a non-profit organization supported by more than 100 businesses, has a unit that monitors CSR in Russia.