LITHUANIANS IN THE USA INVITED TO ACTIVELY SHARE ECONOMIC NEWS FROM LITHUANIA WITH GLOBAL COMPANIES
Minister of Economy Rimantas Žylius visiting the West Coast of the USA, had meetings with representatives of the Lithuanian communities in Seattle (Washington, USA) and San Francisco (California, USA), participated in the solemn Lithuanian Independence Day – February 16 – Celebration held in Seattle, and communicated with the Lithuanians working in the largest US information technology corporations. “Deep historical traditions, respect for the creators of our statehood and our belief in the strong will of the nation helped us survive through very hard times – occupations, emigration, wars, and even the recent financial crises. Lithuania is one of the few EU Member States to record a rapid economic recovery, export growth and the coming of new investors to Lithuania in 2011. The entry of global companies, such as Moog, Barclay’s Bank and Western Union, into the Lithuanian market and even the rapid development of their activities in our country attest to the fact that Lithuania has created a favourable investment environment and global companies can find a sufficient number of professional and well-educated people there,” said Minister Rimantas Žylius, when greeting the Lithuanian community in the US city of Seattle during the solemn February 16 celebration.
“While remembering the foundations of our statehood, I would like hereby to invite Lithuanians in the USA and of course those who realise their professional abilities and achievements in famous US companies to continue to promote and make Lithuania famous. Active efforts, conversations and presentations made by each of you will definitely contribute to the awareness of Lithuania among the international community and arise an interest among entrepreneurs and investors looking for new opportunities,” stated the Minister of Economy, when talking to the Lithuanians who work in the famous US companies established in Seattle and San Francisco.
Seattle is home to the headquarters of such global companies as Amazon.com, Microsoft, Boeing, and Starbucks; specialised industrial clusters are set up at the initiative of the city government in the fields of medicine, IT, energy, biomedicine, etc., and famous universities in Washington and Seattle further expand their activities.
In addition, the Minister of Economy had a meeting with Egils Milbergs, Director of the Economic Development Commission for Washington State (USA) (www.wedc.wa.gov). The Commission unites the Seattle-based universities, research institutes, laboratories, IT sector companies, local institutions promoting business development, politicians, and business start-ups creating high value added in the fields of medicine, IT engineering, and energy sector.
“The experience of Washington State in creating a long-term investment and business environment that would be more favourable to newly established businesses would be relevant for Lithuania. An immediate dialogue between scientific institutions, business representatives and politicians in Seattle is an excellent example for us, seeking to further promote entrepreneurship among individuals in Lithuania. We will seek that our experts could get acquainted with the activities of the Economic Development Commission for Washington State (USA) in greater detail,” said Minister of Economy Rimantas Žylius.
