Meet Lithuania – a modern and vibrant country! Its major cities invite you to come to visit and discover fresh ideas and multiple new opportunities for business! 

In fifteen years of independence, Lithuania has matured into an autonomous and determined European country. In the last five years Lithuanian economic growth has been among the fastest in the European Union and worldwide. The standard of living in the country and the purchasing power of the population continue to rapidly improve, followed by an increasing number of large shopping and business centres and distinctive residential areas. Lithuania’s membership in the EU and NATO, well-developed infrastructure and favourable geographic location bridging the EU and CIS countries are among the main factors which have helped attract an increasing number of investors. Their contribution has been significant as more than five billion euro in foreign direct investment has provided large dividends for the business community, which has already discovered our country as one of the most favourable places for business development in the entire EU.
 

As Lithuania continues to grow naturally and change rapidly, it gains increasing importance for further development of Europe. Europe needs Lithuania as much as our brains need fresh air to think. New ideas coming from Lithuania lift the face of the old continent, energise it and inspire bold changes. Modern architecture complements the old one, recognised as part of the global heritage, and creates the European state of the 21st century. The state which will soon become the centre of global interest. 

It will be worth it: in 2009, Lithuania will celebrate the millennium anniversary of the first recorded reference to its name and Vilnius will become the European Capital of Culture; the European Men’s Basketball Championship will be held in Lithuania in 2011. Major cities in Lithuania have already started preparing for these events; their main priorities are the development of cultural, sport and recreational facilities and related infrastructure. Cities have huge potential for development. Each has its own unique way. 

The capital city Vilnius was recognised as the city of the future of Eastern Europe and the Baltic Region. The city is divided by a river and one of its banks accommodates the Old Town, which was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List, while the other hosts the impressive new city centre. Kaunas, located in the centre of Lithuania, is at the crossroads of important international routes. Here science and technologies play a major role. Klaipeda is an ice-free Lithuanian port open to new business ideas and improvisation. The city also successfully operates a free economic zone. The focus of Siauliai is on education and restoration of its heritage, adapting it to the needs of modern life. Panevezys, which used to be an industrial zone, has chosen a new direction and seeks to become the business leader in Northern Lithuania. The central town in the Vilnius and Kaunas Region, Elektrenai, plays an important role in the sprawl of Vilnius and Kaunas.

Lithuania is full of life and opportunities. You’ll find everything from European lifestyle, living traditions, dynamic cities and their cosy downtowns to strikingly beautiful nature and an untamed sea. You’ll see the abundance of greenery in Lithuania and will reap the benefits of fresh air. You’ll experience a wide variety of new ideas and will be able to see them become reality. You’ll see the fast growth of a modern European state. Come to Lithuania for renewal and inspiration and endeavour to work, create and live! Or just to take a deep breath.

Arturas Zuokas	Arvydas Garbaravicius	Rimantas Taraskevicius
Mayor of Vilnius	Mayor of Kaunas	Mayor of Klaipeda