Together we created more than a quarter of the total regional exports

The total exports of all companies operating in the Klaipeda Free Economic Zone (FEZ) reached 584 million euros in 2015. This constituted nearly 28% of Klaipeda’s regional exports and 2,5% of Lithuania’s exports.

GDP for all companies operating in the economic zone reached 826,4 million euros last year. These results are based on the key performance indicators of 26 companies operating in Klaipeda FEZ that have created almost 2500 jobs. Based on these data, Klaipeda FEZ is considered to be the second most important object of economic development in the region.

Most companies in Klaipeda FEZ are foreign-owned industrial companies operating in the manufacture of plastic products, electronic devices, and steel structures, as well as energy and metal processing areas. Major investment companies by turnover include: two main polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin manufacturers (Ukrainian capital company Neo Group and Thai capital firm Orion Global PET); Lithuanian capital company Mestilla, which is one of the most modern biodiesel producers in the Baltic countries; Espersen, one of the most modern Danish fish processing companies in Europe; and the Japanese company Yazaki, which is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of automotive wiring harnesses and has been operating in Klaipeda FEZ for 14 years. Also, other foreign ownership companies from Scandinavia, Great Britain, Germany, Belarus, and Ireland have signed contracts with Klaipėda FEZ. Furthermore, the economic zone has attracted eight Lithuanian investors.

Klaipeda FEZ has signed 3 new contracts with Vejo Projektai, LLC, Adrem LEZ, LLC, and Advantec turtas, LLC, which are planing on commencing and developing their activities in 2016–2017.

Based on the figures collected by Klaipeda FEZ, the economic zone experienced a total investment of more than 31 million euros in 2015 and paid over 36 million euros in taxes to the national government; it also purchased various goods and services from local businesses for the amount of 197 million euros. Since the start of their operations in 2002, foreign-owned companies have invested more than 546 million euros in the economic zone.

Investors have created 2500 jobs and brought over 90 small- and medium-sized local businesses together that play an important role in various stages of investors‘ activities, such as supplying, manufacturing, and distributing. This means that every new investor creates new opportunities for local businesses and regional workers by both decreasing the level of unemployment and stimulating higher salaries.

In 2015, financial support from the Lithuanian government for the companies of Klaipeda FEZ reached 4,98 million euros. The total amount of governmental support for the economic zone during its entire operating period constitutes about 36,4 million euros (this amounts to about 6% of the total regional investment from all companies operating in Klaipeda FEZ).