Statement of the Chairman of the Board
Rolandas Valiūnas

Dear colleagues, esteemed members of the Association,

As I was preparing to address you again and begin an overview of last year’s Investors ’Forum activities, I returned to the words I wrote last year and a somewhat ironic smile appeared on my face. Last year I noted that we have every reason to remain optimistic. As the pandemic recedes and lives return to more normal, we have an impressive year of recovery and growth ahead.

Investors‘ expectations are more moderate in this quarter. The value of the index fell slightly last quarter and fell further this quarter again. The index reached the value it had after the first quarantine in 2020. On the other hand, the value of the index remains above 1, meaning investors have more positive than negative expectations. At the beginning of the year, the index stands at 1,057 out of a 2 possible. For comparison, the value of the index was 1,139 last quarter. The best-valued areas that strengthen Lithuania’s attractiveness for investment are telecommunications, transport and logistics infrastructure, and employees’ foreign language skills.

Investors‘ Forum“ uniting the biggest investors in Lithuania announced a call for applications and nominations for the  annual awards where the best companies, public institutions, education and media representatives are rewarded for their contributions to improving investment climate in Lithuania. Six nominations are going to be presented: “Investor of the year”, Responsible business 2016”, “Best decision for business climate improvement”, “Public servant of the year”, “Best business journalist”, and “Teacher of Economics of the  yearApplications and nominations for this year’s awards are accepted until the 10th of March. They can be submitted here.
Winners will be announced during the official ceremony, which will take place on the 21st of April in Vilnius.

Although the positivity is not as high as at the beginning of the year, investors’ confidence is still high – the value of the index remains at the before the quarantine level. The value of the ICIL is 1,139 out of 2 in this quarter.

Lithuania is to attract IT, business process outsourcing, financial and other services enterprises to free economic zones (FEZs). Due to decision of Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania capital investment of service companies will have to exceed EUR 100 000 and employ at least 20 full time employees to receive incentives.

Small service enterprises operating in free economic zones (FEZs) and fitting capital investment and employment requirements will be also allowed not to pay income tax for six years.Before the amendment to the law, companies in order to get FEZ tax incentives, have to invest at least EUR 1 million.

On 7th November 2016 Investors’ Forum addressed the leaders of newly formed government coalition regarding new Labour code. Investors’ Forum called to allow Labour Code into force on 1st January, 2017. We argue that public statements by politicians to postopne the entry on the new law will have a negative impact on both business and the international image of Lithuania.