Economic relations between Lithuania and Belgium are set to become even more active, and entrepreneurs from both countries can expect success in cooperation in biotechnology, renewable energy and other innovative businesses. This was stated by the Minister of the Economy and Innovation, Aušrinė Armonaitė, at the opening of the Lithuanian-Belgian Business Forum in Vilnius on Tuesday.

The idea to charge electric cars from lampposts has become a reality – the first 9 such charging stations have begun operating in Vilnius. By the end of 2023, the City of Vilnius will install around a total of 100 stations of this type – this amount should stimulate the growth of the number of electric cars in the capital. The municipality plans to increase the number of such stations to at least 2,000 by 2030, and if it succeeds in receiving support from the European Union – twice the amount.

When it comes to accelerating the transition to clean energy, hydrogen is increasingly mentioned among other renewable resources. Hydrogen-powered vehicles are on the rise in Europe, and a test train run has already taken place in Germany. This type of fuel can become a blessing striving to replace natural gas, coal and oil in the industry and transport sectors that are most dependent on fossil fuels – this was emphasised by Deputy Minister of Transport and Communication Agnė Vaiciukevičiūtė at the International Transport Innovation Forum that started on Thursday in Vilnius.

Minister of the Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė, who took part in the Lithuanian Tourism Forum "Rethinking tourism" ("Permąstykime turizmą") in Vilnius on Friday, said that Lithuania should strive to quickly restore the number of foreign tourists arriving to the country to the number of foreign tourists before the pandemic in 2019.

On Tuesday Lithuania borrowed EUR 900 million in the international capital markets by issuing a new 5.5-year Eurobond and tapping the 10-year Eurobond issued in spring this year with EUR 300 million.

Of the €1 billion earmarked for the economy, €77.7 million will be allocated for mission-driven science and innovation programmes. In preparation for the launch of the new funding tool for addressing public concerns, the description of conditions for funding this project was submitted for public discussion.

The Ministry of the Economic and Innovation has announced a vacancy for a Lithuanian Commercial Attaché in Singapore. The new Commercial Attaché is expected to strengthen bilateral foreign direct investment, export and cooperation opportunities between Lithuania and Singapore.

The Ministry of the Economy and Innovation has launched a competition for a second Commercial Attaché in France. This post is dedicated to the development of Lithuania's economic representation worldwide. The new Commercial Attaché will strengthen bilateral trade opportunities in the strategically important French market.

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At the Lithuanian-French Business Forum in Paris, the Minister of the Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė presented Lithuania's investment environment, focused on Lithuania's transition to a green economy, energy efficiency, and the development of the use of renewable energy sources.