"We have world-class innovations in Lithuania, created by dynamic and talented youth. The potential of investment and job creation in the sector of information technologies is really huge. Every week a new IT company is set up in our country. We have talented software engineers and are able to compete on the global market," the President said.
The President and the creators of the Pixelmator application discussed the innovative business development perspectives, opportunities to train and employ young specialists, as well as ways to contribute to nurturing talents in the field and promoting youth entrepreneurship. The President tried the application - edited an image.
Funds are earmarked in the multiannual EU budget 2014-2020 to fight unemployment, especially of young people. According to the President, it is crucial to ensure that the support from the EU's new budget is referred to perspective spheres from the very beginning of 2014. IT sector is one of the areas where a significant lack of professionals is felt both in Lithuania and the whole of EU.
IT students make up only 2.5 % of all students in Lithuania and 3.5 % on the average in the European Union. Based on forecasts, the EU will lack at least 700,000 IT specialists by 2020.
According to the President, investments in education and promoting youth entrepreneurship are needed in order to advance innovation development and create new jobs in high value added areas.
Lithuania is using EU funds to implement a number of successful initiatives: IT startups are provided with innovative business subsidies. The government also invests in the creation of favorable conditions for startups, organizes meetings between IT innovators and world-famous investors.
