Statistics Lithuania informs that, based on provisional data, in August 2013, the turnover (VAT excluded) of enterprises engaged in retail trade* amounted to LTL 2608.8 million; against July, it increased by 0.7% at constant prices (seasonally adjusted, it increased by 0.5%).

On September 25, AB City Service has acquired a company active in Spain, Aldesa Servicios y Mantenimiento S.A. (enterprise code A-84659614, headquarters registered at Bahia de Pollensa 13, Madrid), operating under Concentra trade-mark. AB City service acquired 100% of company shares and as a part of the transaction bought loans from former shareholders. Total price paid for the loans and shares of the company amounted to EUR 7,345 million. As of 31 July 2013 company shareholders' equity and loans provided by the former shareholders book value amounted to EUR 7,5 million (based on unaudited accounts).

Wizz Air the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, today announced the 3rd aircraft for its Lithuanian base at Vilnius airport. The new Airbus A320 aircraft will be delivered in Vilnius in March 2014.

Representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that Lithuanian economic growth was stable and all the macroeconomic measures have been implemented very well. The meeting was held in Vilnius with the presence of the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Minister of the Finance of Lithuania and the President of the Central Bank of Lithuania.

Lithuania's Ministry of Finance prepared and issued the law draft which put the restriction on the natural persons and legal entities and their settlement in cash, reports LETA/ELTA.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with the Chairman of the European Parliament's (EP) Committee on Budgets, Alain Lamassoure, and other committee members. The meeting focused on the issues relating to the European Union (EU) multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020 and to the next year's budget. Among the other topics of discussion was the EP's important role in adopting legislation necessary for implementing the budget.

Tomorrow, September 19, Vilnius will be visited by the European Parliament (EP) Budget Committee members, and Alain Lamassoure, the Committee Chairman.

More than 6000 entrepreneurs have already benefitted from loans worth a total of close to €50 million under the European Progress Microfinance Facility, according to the third annual report on this EU instrument. The report confirms that Progress Microfinance has significantly contributed to job creation, helping a high percentage of people who were previously unemployed or inactive into employment. In particular, microfinance facilitates self-employment and entrepreneurship among groups who typically have more difficulties to raise money, such as young people and minorities.

The Lithuanian commission of carbohydrates has announced that the American oil company "Chevron" has won the tender for the shale gas extraction in the Northern Lithuania. The commissioner has 5 days to give its recommendation to the government and after that the Lithuanian government has 90 days to give its final decision.