According to Butkevicius, Klaipeda's Free Economic Zone is one of the best in Europe, it attracts local and foreign investment and creates new jobs for the region's residents.
"The leadership was earned in constant competition with other Baltic Seaports and businesses. Currently Klaipeda city and region is becoming a crucial centre for development of energy and alternative energy," said the head of the Government.
At the Regional business forum Regional Development: Opportunities for Business, organised by Klaipeda Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Craft, the prime minister was introduced with regional investment plans, social exclusion reduction prospects and business opportunities to use funds provided by the European Union.
Butkevicius emphasised that a special Regional Development Programme has been prepared for 2014-2020 financial period. It is devoted for business development and investment attraction to specific localities. Special programmes will be devoted to solve the issues of low-skilled workers and long-term unemployment. Low-skilled workers account for the biggest part of unemployed people in regional areas. It is estimated that approximately LTL 3.5 billion (EUR 1 billion) will be allocated to develop Lithuania's counties and improve territorial cohesion.
"Currently the Government is preparing the next year's budget, which is calculated in the euro for the first time. The self-government will be augmented for the second year, when forming the budget for self-government (regional) development – more financial resources will be allocated. We will introduce the revised method to form municipal budgets. It will encourage and motivate to attract more investment into regional development, personal income tax will be clearly shared among municipal and state budgets, and more funds will be devoted for local needs," the prime minister said.
