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Tuesday, 19.03.2024, 14:08
Purchases by Klaipėda FEZ companies exceeded EUR 200 million in Lithuania
The companies operating in Klaipėda FEZ are not only large
employers and taxpayers, but also solid customers of businesses in Klaipėda
region and Lithuania. Last year, purchases of goods and services by 29
investors operating in Klaipėda FEZ, exceeded EUR 200 mln for the first
time.
Among the largest purchasers of goods and services from Lithuanian
suppliers were NEO Group, Mestilla, Retal and Fortum Klaipėda. A total of 15
companies operating in Klaipėda FEZ had purchases exceeding EUR 1 mln last
year.
According to Eimantas Kiudulas, Manager of Klaipėda FEZ, these
numbers once again demonstrate the significance of foreign investment to the
national economy.
"Currently, over 2,800 of employees are working in Klaipėda FEZ,
representing every 20th person of working age in Klaipėda. Last year, FEZ
companies paid EUR 32,5 mln in employment-related taxes and VAT. However, the
amount of purchases from Lithuanian suppliers is at least six times higher than
that. Those two hundred mln euros ultimately turn into wages for other
Lithuanian suppliers, taxes or investment" - said
Eimantas Kiudulas.
In 2016, all 29 companies operating in Klaipėda FEZ generated more
than EUR 887 mln in revenue (7,4% more that in 2015). Moreover, the
exports of FEZ companies in 2016 accounted to EUR 635 mln, which is 8,7%
more than a year ago. Also, the exports of Klaipėda
FEZ companies accounted for 2,8% of total Lithuania’s exports and for 28% of exports from Klaipėda
region.
This year, Klaipėda FEZ is targeting service companies. Since the
beginning of the year, Lithuanian legislation has expanded possibilities for
service sector companies to invest in national free economic zones. For this
reason, Klaipėda FEZ has already entered into negotiations with a company – an
IT database services exporter – intending to benefit from the amended
legislation by investing in Klaipėda FEZ.
Klaipėda
FEZ has been operating since 2002 and was the first of the six free economic
zones currently operating in Lithuania. The FEZ has an area of 412 hectares and
hosts companies engaged in the production of plastics, electronic devices, and
steel structures, as well as energy and metal processing companies; the choice
of these companies was due to the location, availability of qualified
employees, and the infrastructure of the region. Today, Klaipėda FEZ is one of
the most actively managed free economic zones in Lithuania according to the
scope of attracted investment and the number of jobs created.
To
date, 29 companies employing over 2,500 people have signed agreements on the
operations in Klaipėda FEZ. Two-thirds of the companies are foreign capital companies.
Most of the products produced in Klaipėda FEZ are intended for export.
The
number of companies operating in the territory of Klaipėda FEZ, including
investors and small- and medium-sized businesses concentrating on them, exceeds
100, and these companies employ over 4,000 people.
Klaipėda
FEZ was recognised as an economic project of national significance by a special
resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.