EU – Baltic States, Good for Business, Investments, Lithuania, Markets and Companies, USA

Invest Lithuania, the foreign direct investment arm of the Republic of Lithuania, which is responsible for expanding foreign businesses in this European nation, believes the new office will create a variety of new opportunities, particularly for US-based firms looking to establish or strengthen a presence in Lithuania or in the broader European market, informs LETA/ELTA.

Named the "Best of the Baltics" for companies looking to do business in Eastern Europe by Forbes, Lithuania is a country of 3.2 million people with exceptionally friendly corporate tax structures, political stability, and a host of financial incentives for companies considering locating foreign offices there. It is also one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world with the world's fastest internet download speed, Europe's highest fiber optic density and Europe's densest network of public Internet access points.

The greatest benefit to companies doing business in Lithuania may in fact be its exceptionally well-educated workforce. With 92% of the adult population having upper-secondary education and 30% with college or higher education degrees, Lithuania leads the European league and offers one of the most highly-trained labor markets in the world.

A survey by the EU agency Eurostat estimates that over 90% of Lithuanians are multilingual (with English the most common second language), among the highest rates in Europe. Lithuanian Minister of Economy Rimantas Zylius emphasizes the Government's focus on creating an investor-friendly environment, which has been the key factor in attracting dozens of international companies to Lithuania. "Lithuania has very stable macroeconomic policies aimed at making the country the most attractive destination for investors in the region. Foreign companies enjoy full support of the Government here."

Invest Lithuania's Managing Director Milda Darguzaite adds that Lithuania, praised for its creative and innovative spirit, offers a broad spectrum of opportunities. "By establishing our office in the Silicon Valley, we aim to facilitate closer cooperation between the global leaders of innovation and technology in the Silicon Valley and talented entrepreneurs in Lithuania," she said.