Klaipeda

Klaipeda is the Northern-most ice-free port on the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. It is the only Lithuanian port. Navigation takes place there even when it’s 25 degrees below zero. Annually, on average, the port of Klaipeda serves about 7 thousand ships from 50 countries of the world, and is able handle over 30 million tons of cargo. One of the advantages of this port is that it still has quite a few reserve territories. A favorable geographical location, impressive natural beauty, spacious Baltic beaches, authentic city architecture, and a unique Lithuanian Maritime Museum – Dolphinarium all create the necessary conditions for developing sea tourism. Annual events, such as the International Klaipeda Castle Jazz Festival, and the Sea Festival, attract thousands of guests both from Lithuania and abroad. Klaipeda is known among sailors for its famous international regattas the “Baltic Sprint Cup”, Baltic Sail”, “Amber Race”, and the“European Sailing Cup”. The year 2009 was an exceptionally significant year for Klaipeda – the port of culture hosted the most prestigious world regatta “The Tall Ships’ Races Baltic 2009”, and a great national culture festival of European countries “EUROPEADE”.

Economic Environment and Investment Klaipeda is a unique transport hub with convenient, and quality access to Lithuanian and foreign cities by land, air, and waterways. The population of Klaipeda is 186,000. The city creates 10 % of overall Lithuanian GDP and almost 80 % of Western Lithuanian regional GDP. About 70 % of inhabitants work in the service sectors, and the remaining – in the sectors of industry and building construction. Klaipeda is becoming ever more vivid on the map of investment. Now that it’s part of the EU market, the city utilizes the East- West neighborhood effectively, providing a relatively inexpensive labor force, quality services for a good price, and a friendly business environment. The Free Economic Zone (FEZ), operating since 2002, is the first and the most successful zone of this kind in Lithuania. It occupies the area of 205 ha and offers investors ready industrial sites with a developed infrastructure, means of maintenance, and tax incentives. There are plans to expand this territory to 500 ha. Since the beginning of operation, 505 million LTL have been invested into FEZ, of which 420 million LTL came from foreign investors. Companies from Germany, Austria, Russia, Denmark, Ireland and Lithuania operate in the FEZ, and they have created 3,000 jobs. The dynamic city of Klaipeda is in continuous growth and change. Projects include the construction of a multi-functional sports and entertainment complex in the central part of the city, and the reconstruction of the old castle. Adapting to the needs of culture and tourism, as well as the plans for a marina for yachts and small pleasure boats in the area of the castle, will attract even more tourists and business people from all of Lithuania and abroad. The Dane River Valley Conservation Project plans the withdrawal of industrial territories from the riverbanks, and will use them for commercial and residential purposes. Removing industry from the City Center will make it more attractive to the citizens and visiting guests.

The realization of ongoing projects is changing the face of Klaipeda. The city will become more comfortable, more attractive for those who value quality of life, and it will gain new features of a unique harbour city.