News

Distinguished representatives of Chinese and Lithuanian business community,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I welcome all of you who gathered here at the Lithuanian Tourism Business Seminar in order to get to know Lithuania and opportunities it opens for business. Your numerous presence here shows that regardless of the distance separating our countries we are bound together by a common interest to expand our cooperation. I do hope that we will be bound by joint success in the future!

It is my pleasure to be present here this morning and have this possibility of introducing briefly the highlights of Lithuania’s economic policy priorities with a focus on tourism sector development as well as overview our bilateral relations and prospects for future cooperation. The main objective of this event is to introduce Lithuania – as a new destination for Chinese tourist and to spread a message about our openness for new cooperation projects with Chinese tourism as well as other business sectors. 

Let me give you a quick introduction to Lithuania’s current economic targets and challenges.

People usually get very surprised when they hear that once Lithuania was Europe‘s largest country. In the XV century the territory of Lithuania extended from the Baltic Sea (where we are situated until today) to the Black Sea.

Similarly, we surprised Europe and the world in the beginning of the XXI century showing an absolutely exemplary economic progress and boom. And although Lithuania suffered from the global recession quite hard, we again appeared to be one of the first to fight it and quickly jumped onto the same track we were before the crisis started – Lithuania’s economy started growing again already in the 3rd quarter of 2009 (demonstrating the steepest quarterly increase across the European Union), and the market is very much inspired by highly optimistic international analysts’ evaluations and future development forecasts. The World Bank projects that in 2011 Lithuania will top the EU10 economies with a forecasted GDP growth of 4.3 %.

Over the last two years we have demonstrated our ability to cope with the most painful challenge of a very deep recession. We have gone through painful but necessary cuts, we started major reforms to create a modern, smart, knowledge-based economy in Lithuania. And here we see new opportunities and areas for the implementation of business projects with a focus on services, high-tech, as well as innovative and cauterized traditional industries.

Our goal is a modern, dynamic and prosperous economy. We have an ambition and political will: within the next 20 years to become one of the most innovative countries in a broad Nordic-Baltic region.

Let's briefly move to the relationship between our two countries. Last year was a good momentum and good opportunities for our bilateral relationship. We witnessed high level meetings from both sides during which the emphasis was put on the need to strengthen our business relations. Lithuania was present in Shanghai Expo 2010. This year we will witness the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between our two countries. Despite these positive trends in our bilateral relations, I still see a great potential in further fostering our cooperation in tourism field which obviously is not fully realized.   

Coming back to the topic of today’s event, we probably all agree, that tourism becomes more and more important sector having an impact on country’s economy. The ability of the national economy to benefit from tourism depends on the availability of investment to develop the necessary infrastructure and on its ability to fulfill the needs of tourists. Our Government attaches great importance to these factors and is making every to increase the competitiveness of our tourism sector and attract more tourists from all over the world.

You will later hear more detailed presentations about the priorities and targets of Lithuania’s tourism sector. I would like to present you some insights on how we are positioning ourselves in order to attract Chinese tourist. Lithuania and China are quite distant countries. We do not have a characteristic proximity when people like closer-to-home countries and friendly things such as culinary and traditions. However, I would like to assure you that our local and international cuisine is pretty well complemented by numerous Chinese restaurants. In addition, arriving to Lithuania you will be welcomed by a unique, intact by civilization and clean nature, rich history, architecture and a wide range of possibilities to relax. 

I wonder whether you are aware of the following surprising facts that:

• According to the International Living 2010 Quality of Life Index, the quality of life in Lithuania is one of the highest among EU members (14) as well as No. 22 in the world.
• The Lonely Planet, one of the world’s most read travel guide, ranks the Curonian Spit in Lithuania as the second best beach in the world.

Lithuania is a Northeastern European country which combines what is regarded as Scandinavian –  clean, orderly, progressive, natural and attractive, as well as what is regarded as Eastern European – new, rapidly developing, on the rise, and as yet undiscovered. Sometimes called a Northern, and sometimes an Eastern European country, Lithuania is an authentic combination of Northern and Eastern features.

We Lithuanians love Lithuania, a country situated at the geographical centre of Europe, washed by the Baltic Sea, covered with dense forests and meandering rivers and lakes, respectful of its traditions, proud of the Lithuanian language, nurturing its UNESCO world heritage sites, and open to innovations. Visit Lithuania and fall in love with our country.

Let me finish by quoting the Roman theologian Saint Augustine that “the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page”. I invite you all to visit my country and add to your personal world’s book the page which you could name „Lithuania – small but sound”.

Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you very much for your coming, for your interest in Lithuania, and let this seminar be the beginning of your new businesses with and within Lithuania.

Thank you.