Free economic zones  

Lithuania’s two free economic zones are located in the country’s economically important centres and provide favorable conditions for developing business activities by offering prepared industrial sites with physical and/or legal infrastructure, support services and tax incentives. 
One of the world’s leading plastic products manufacturers INDORAMA of Thailand, the world’s largest manufacturer of wire harnesses YAZAKI, Finland’s biggest construction company YIT, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of building materials HEIDELBERGCEMENT and many other companies have chosen the free economic zones in Lithuania as the best places for their business expansion.

In 2011 the Lithuanian government has decided to establish additional free economic zones in the country. It is expected that by 2012 there will six free economic zones operating in Lithuania.

* Logistics and production area; leased plot – 32,87 ha

** Leased plot – 46 ha

With a superb road, rail and sea access, the Klaipėda Free Economic Zone (Klaipėda FEZ) is a part of the multi-modal transport network hub. Klaipėda FEZ was identified in the European Union Transport Infrastructure Needs Assessment (TINA) programme as a site for the establishment of a logistics centre, a part of the Europe-wide network of such centres.

Klaipėda FEZ occupies a strategic location that is ideal for companies looking to relocate or expand production, to establish packing and distribution centres, and to make logistics more efficient.

For more information on Klaipėda FEZ, please see the attached file and visit www.fez.lt

Kaunas Free Economic Zone (Kaunas FEZ) is located in Kaunas, the second biggest Lithuanian city with a population of about 358,000, one of the major industrial cities in the Baltic countries. It is planned that Kaunas FEZ will become one of the largest free economic zones in the Baltic Sea Region.

Kaunas FEZ is located on the intersection of the Via Baltica, a key European transport corridor connecting Helsinki, Saint Petersburg and Warsaw and the East-West highway linking the port of Klaipėda to Russia and Ukraine.

For more information on the Kaunas FEZ, please visit www.ftz.lt

*0% tax on dividends applies when an investor controls at least 10% of the voting shares in the enterprise for the period of at least 12 months.

Industrial parks

There are four industrial sites in Lithuania, half of which are already fully prepared for business-use and have all the necessary physical infrastructure (electricity, gas, sewerage, roads, etc.).

The land at the Lithuanian industrial parks may be subdivided into smaller parcels, based on the investors' needs and is leased for long-term periods at favourable prices. Infrastructure is brought to the investor’s land plot free of charge.

*The table provides information on largest IPs which were fully operating in Lithuania in 2011. There a number of smaller IPs and territories that are in the development phase.

** Šiauliai IP and Panevėžys IP are expected to be reestablished and function as free economic zones in 2012.

Investors are encouraged to contact Invest Lithuania and the municipalities which will own the industrial parks regarding the land lease opportunities.

Science and business valleys  

Five integrated science, studies and business centres (valleys) are being developed in Lithuania. The valleys are being created in the capital city Vilnius, in Kaunas - the country's second largest city and industrial centre, and in the seaport city Klaipėda. The science and business valleys will specialize in various scientific research fields, including laser and light technologies, nanotechnologies, semiconductor physics, electronics and organic electronics, civil engineering, biotechnology, bio-pharmacy, molecular medicine, ecosystems and safe environment, sustainable chemistry and biopharmacy, mechatronics and biomedical engineering, energy, information and communication technologies, agriculture, forestry, food scientific research, marine business, natural resources and environmental protection.

The Santara Valley, conveniently situated in Vilnius, has already attracted major foreign investors. For example, TEVA and Moog have successfully established their R&D centres and laboratories at the science and business valley.

The science and business valleys offer:

• Strong network of R&D centres in three largest Lithuanian cities
• Broad spectrum of specialization in various scientific research areas
• Great concentration of talent
• Excellent supply of new office space

Key Advantages of R&D Valleys in Lithuania

• Greater access to skills and networking – Impressive concentration of scientists, researchers, developers and academia; Close collaboration of knowledge-intensive businesses with science and study institutions; Opportunity to be co-located with other companies in the same sector and region (clusters opportunities).
• Research excellence – Open-access labs; R&D projects supported by the EU and the state; Successful application of research results in industry and business.
• High-quality infrastructure and premises – Excellent infrastructure for research, innovation and new technology development and comfortable conditions to establish new technology-oriented businesses – offices, labs and business incubators.
• Internationalization – Great conditions to get more competitive internationally.

For more information please visit the websites of the Lithuanian Innovation Centre www.lic.lt and the association Knowledge Economy Forum www.zef.lt