The initiative is supported by the RL Ministries of Energy and Education and Science whose heads also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the cluster development activities in the fields of energy, economy, research, and education were discussed. In the discussions on the establishment of the cluster in October, Energy Minister Rokas Masiulis emphasised that Klaipėda ought to become a centre for the LNG-related competence development. Currently, Minister Masiulis expected the support of the city authorities and an interest from other institutions: "We ought to consider an opportunity to invite other academic and business institutions to join the cluster in the future", said the Minister. Education and Science Minister Audronė Pitrėnienė supported the idea: "I believe that will open up new opportunities for the growth of the city, the improvement of the University, and the development of new study programmes". To quote the Minister, the Ministry was going by means of competition to support research and business projects covering the scientific research and experimental development (R&D) activities, which the LNG cluster could also qualify for.
After signing the Letter of Intent on the development of the LNG cluster, new works and activities are planned. An LNG Centre of Excellence is to be set up at Klaipėda University: it will create conditions for study development by training LNG specialists able to work in the LNG business market, currently forming in Lithuania. Already in the next academic year, Klaipėda University will admit students to a new study programme LNG Terminal Engineering; simultaneously, the activities of the LNG specialist professional development will be carried out. Moreover, research will be promoted by developing new LNG technology solutions, designing different products, and improving production.
The main goals of the cluster development include creating conditions for increasing the LNG chain economic value and for consolidating regional leadership in the LNG market. "Today we formalised our relations. We are happy to have the support of two ministries", said Rector E. Juzeliūnas after signing the Letter of Intent on the cluster.
