Investors’ Forum News

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.

To control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Government decided to declare quarantine on the entire territory of the Republic of Lithuania. The quarantine regime shall be effective from 16 March 2020, 00:00, until 30 March 2020, 24:00.

The application process for annual Investors’ Forum Awards has now officially begun. Investors’ Forum Awards recognize and reward organizations and people who have significantly contributed to the improvement of Lithuanian business environment and investment climate.
We kindly invite you to nominate the companies and individuals for their significant achievements in the following categories until the 7th of February.

This decline was determined by a negative change in valuation of almost all areas. More negative expectations about the macroeconomic environment in the country and much more cautious valuations of possible growth of salaries, new jobs and investment in surveyed companies have contributed to the decline of the index.

Annual activity report to highlight the main activities, proposals, members, accounts of Investors’ Forum.