New workplaces, better communication with the neighbouring Poland and an incentive for local and external tourism – these are only some of the benefits of Rail Baltica that were discussed at the remote meeting with the representatives of the municipalities of the region of Marijampolė. The discussion, which is part of a series of events “Rail Baltica in Lithuania: its value for the regions”, was initiated by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and LTG Infra.

Minister of the Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė has signed Lithuania’s Associated Membership Agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA).The associated membership of ESA will strengthen the international competitiveness of national science and business and will directly benefit the country’s economy – it is estimated that EUR 1 directly invested by space programme participants generates the value of at least EUR 3.5.The agreement on Lithuania and ESA’s associated membership will have to be ratified by the Seimas before September 27; until then, Lithuania will retain the status of the ESA cooperating state.

Lithuanian Airports have launched a land lease auction as Kaunas Airport aims to further develop infrastructure for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). The airport operator aims to attract foreign and Lithuanian investors via the launched auction. Kaunas Airport is already the largest base for aircraft maintenance in the Baltics.

The public body Invest Lithuania sets goals to attract 225 direct investment projects in various fields by 2025 to create 21.5 thousand new jobs; investments in long-term assets of these projects would amount to EUR 1.2 billion. Such tasks are set out in the long-term strategy of Invest Lithuania approved by Minister of the Economy and Innovation Aušinė Armonaitė.

Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis met with the Association of Lithuanian Stevedoring Companies representatives and stated that within the next few years the seaport is to see major investment infrastructure projects likely to increase the port’s competitiveness. Increasing the port’s property value and improving its competitive environment requires sustainable solutions and in-depth discussion with all stakeholders with regard to the Klaipėda State Seaport land lease that has not been changed for over a decade and proposed changes to the charges calculation methodology.

On Wednesday, the Government approved a package of law implementing regulations drafted by the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, which provides legal basis for launching large-scale investment projects of local and foreign capital in Lithuania.

Panevėžys city and district, Pasvalys, Kėdainiai and Jonava municipalities, and business community discussed the European standard railway line connecting Kaunas and Lithuanian-Latvian border construction plans and the potential impact of Rail Baltica on the region’s development and investment prospects. The above infrastructure development plans were discussed today during a remote meeting organised at the initiative of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and LTG Infra.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications informs of the announcement of a vacancy competition for a next CEO of SE Oro navigacija. Candidates are called to submit their applications to head the company of strategic importance with regard to flight safety and national security by the 7th of May.

The Government approved a package of laws initiated by the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation aimed to facilitate the transfer of companies’ employees and their family members by transferring a company’s activities (or part of activities) from third countries to Lithuania.

In order to boost faster transport sector development and apply the best corporate management practices, there is a plan in place to reorganise state-owned transport companies into companies limited by shares. The Government approved the conclusions submitted by the Ministry of Transport and Communications with regard to the draft legislation brought forward, albeit not adopted, by the previous Government providing for the reorganisation of state-owned companies.