Statement of the Chairman of the Board
Rolandas Valiūnas
Dear colleagues,
I am certain that life is deemed meaningful, valuable, and exciting as long as we are able to experience sincere amazement. And in the recent year I had lots of opportunities to experience it. Not only because 2020 has become a year of unprecedented trials for all of us. But first and foremost because of how we were able to meet, adapt, and overcome these challenges.
The association Investors’ Forum, which brings together the largest and most active investors into the Lithuanian economy, agrees with the initiative by the ruling coalition’s representatives in the Lithuanian Seimas to legalize partnerships. Investors emphasize that this step would help ensure legal protection of all couples who are not related biologically and are looking to build a life together. Investors’ Forum also believes that legalizing partnerships would significantly contribute to supporting human rights in Lithuania, while at the same time improving the business environment and investment climate.
The value of the Investors’ Confidence Index for Lithuania (ICIL) has been growing since the last quarter and the current final value is 1,118 out of 2. Investors are more positive about the country’s business environment, and the value of the index exceeded the pre-quarantine value.
Investors’ Confidence Index for Lithuania (ICIL) for the first time in the history of this study reached a negative value in the last quarter. The index rose again in this quarter and currently ICIL’s final value is 1,064 out of 2. Although the growth of the index and the return to a positive value indicate a higher positivity of investors, confidence is still low when compared to the period before the quarantine.
Statement of the Chairman of the Board
Rolandas Valiūnas
Dear Members,
Today, more than ever I wish I could begin this foreword as usual, by applauding Lithuania’s achievements, such as record-breaking 11th place in World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 rating or 47 FDI projects attracted by Invest Lithuania last year. I would continue by noticing challenges that we are well aware of, such as lack of qualified personnel and necessity for our Government to focus on improvements in the education system and migration procedures. And finish with some words to inspire us to continue our effort in improving business conditions and investment climate in Lithuania.
Investors’ Confidence Index for Lithuania (ICIL) for the first time in the history of this study reached a negative value – currently ICIL final value is 0,909 out of 2. The fact that the value of the index is less than 1 indicates that Lithuanian investors present more negatives assessments of the country’s investment climate than the positive ones. Naturally, the negative change is not unexpected in the current situation caused by a coronavirus pandemic. This decline was determined by a market and economic downturn and pessimistic prospects for the future.
