Klaipėda FEZ investors’ turnover exceeded €1.4 billion in 2024

Klaipėda FEZ investors generated a total revenue of €1.41 billion last year, a 5% increase compared to 2023. While these investors received €3.18 million in profit and real estate tax incentives, they paid ten times that amount in personal income and social security taxes alone.

The total turnover of Klaipėda FEZ investors in 2024 was the second-highest in its history. Over the same period, total exports by FEZ companies also grew by 5%, reaching €640 million. Purchases of goods and services from Lithuanian suppliers also increased slightly, totaling €426 million.

In 2024, Klaipėda FEZ investors paid a combined €79.3 million in VAT, personal income tax and social security contributions. Although this was about €5 million less than in 2023, the amount paid in personal income and Sodra taxes alone rose slightly to €30.2 million – ten times more than the tax incentives granted to these investors.

Klaipėda FEZ CEO Eimantas Kiudulas noted that last year’s results demonstrate the resilience, stability and broader importance of FEZ investors to both Klaipėda and Lithuania in the context of ongoing global uncertainty.

“For several years now, Klaipėda FEZ’s existing investors have not only maintained jobs but have also continued to expand. We are pleased that after a slight slowdown, the past six months brought announcements of new significant investments by companies such as Evertis, Hawe Hydraulik and Kovo Armor. However, persistent global challenges signal that the state must act more decisively and do more – both in supporting existing investors and attracting new ones,” said Kiudulas.

He emphasized that Klaipėda FEZ, founded literally in a green field over two decades ago, has grown to its current scale thanks to a long-term and consistent development strategy led by its shareholders. Over the years, the FEZ business community has become a hub of high value-added activities and economic stability. Its scale and accumulated experience now naturally attract other investors. Still, Kiudulas believes the state must pursue an active investment promotion policy across all regions, way beyond the current free zones.

Last year, Klaipėda FEZ companies made €55.6 million in new investments – 13% more than in 2023. While this figure was lower than the FEZ’s forecast a year ago, global uncertainty has generally slowed investment decisions both in the region and worldwide. Most of this investment again came from existing FEZ investors, reflecting their long-term commitment to the local and national economy. To date, companies operating in Klaipėda FEZ have invested more than €800 million.

At the end of 2024, nearly 2,700 people were employed by investor-status companies in the Klaipėda FEZ – a number that remained virtually unchanged over the year. Including other businesses without official investor status, the total workforce in the Klaipėda FEZ territory is close to 5,000.