On Friday, the minister together with Ambassador Raimondas Karoblis, the Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the European Union, visited Panevezys City.
Ambassador Karoblis welcomed the progress of the region. He stressed that the EU funds should be primarily invested in creating a higher value-added economy and innovations.
In 2012 in Panevezys region, GDP (gross domestic product) per capita was 28,700 or 75.5% of the national average. A relatively large share of gross value added of the region was generated by industry and this share keeps increasing.
Compared to other Lithuanian regions, in 2007-2013 Panevezys allocated a relatively larger share of EU funds to improvement of the business environment. A free economic zone was established to increase investment attractiveness in the region.
Speaking about Lithuania's aspirations to adopt the euro, Minister Sadzius said that euro changeover would be undoubtedly a big step towards a better life. "If we do not introduce the euro, I do not see any positive economic growth scenarios in a long-term perspective," said the minister.
