BIRŽAI REGION

Lithuania GDP growth – 2.9% [1] Inflation – 0.2% [1] 4th lowest profit taxes in the EU [2] #1 for industry-university collaboration in the CEE region [3] #2 most favourable country for investment in Europe and #16 in the World [4] 1st in the CEE for quality of roads [5] Source 1: Ministry of Finance, 2014 Source 2: KPMG, 2014 / BNP Paribas European Office Market, 2014 Source 3: European Commission, 2013 / WEF Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015 Source 4: Foreign Policy‘s Baseline Profitability Index 2014 / Centre of Registers, 2014 Source 5: FTTH Council, 2013 / WEF Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015

Biržai region Biržai municipality is situated in the North of Lithuania, in the county of Panevėžys. Population – 25 600 Labour pool – 14 900 Source: Statistics Lithuania, 2014-2015

Effective transport network Sea, land and air links to maximise business connectivity Seaports Roads International Airports

Seaports Klaipėda Seaport, Europe’s most northerly ice free port, is accessible from Biržai in three hours by road. Cargo handled in 2014 Klaipėda – 36.4 m tons Riga – 41 m tons Source 1: Port of Klaipėda, 2014 Source 2: Freeport of Riga, 2014

Roads Biržai is only 20 minutes by road from the Via Baltica highway, which connects Eastern Europe with Western Europe and Scandinavia.

International Airports Biržai is conveniently located for accessing three major international airports. Passengers carried in 2014: Vilnius International Airport – 2,942,670[1] Kaunas International Airport – 724,314[1] Riga International Airport – 4,813,959[2] Source 1: Lithuanian Airports, 2015 Source 2: Riga International Airport, 2015

Biržai has established competencies and companies with a proven track record in Food processing Textiles

Largest manufacturers The biggest 8 companies employ 10% of the total working population Siūlas Textile manufacturing EMP: 375 Biržų Duona Food production EMP: 346 Tyla Manufacturer of wooden buildngs EMP: 204 Agaras Livestock EMP: 200 Rinkuškiai Brewery EMP: 125 SLT Industrial Components Plastic processing EMP: 83 Nitator-SLT Metal processing EMP: 82 HOCHDORF Baltic Milk Dairy products EMP: 53 Source: Rekvizitai.lt, 2015

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) 9,32 m EUR of FDI 57% growth in FDI in three years FDI per capita 352 EUR (2013) FDI in Biržai region (mln EUR) 2010 2011 2012 2013 5,93 7,45 8,38 9,32 Source: Statistics Lithuania, 2013

Skilled workforce and attractive labour cost 14,900 Working-age people 74% speak at least one foreign language 62% 10% Seeking employment speak Russian 27% speak English 4% speak Latvian Source 1: Statistics Lithuania, 2011-2013 Source 2: Lithuanian Labour Exchange, 2015

Attractive labour costs Biržai boasts a pool of highly skilled and competitive professionals, making it a suitable location for sustainable business growth. Monthly average gross salary (EUR) Lithuania Vilnius Panevėžys Biržai 677,4 797,6 632,5 537 Source: Statistics Lithuania, 2014

Qualifications and Competencies. Vocational education Biržai Technology and Business Training Center 794 students 28% are studying engineering Gives both young people and adults the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge Helps improve professional skills Develops motivation and self-confidence Source: Statistics Lithuania, 2014-2015

Talent pool close to Biržai In 1 h you can reach: Panevėžys Total number of students studying engineering – 1,110 1 college, 2 vocational schools Kaunas University of Technology Panevėžys Faculty of Technologies and Business [1] The largest technical university in the Baltic States Robotics laboratory Industrial robots laboratory Mobile robots laboratory Panevėžys Mechatronics Centre[2] Public non-profit organization, providing infrastructure services for scientific research, high-tech business and study. 3 laboratories (Industrial Mechatronics, micro/ nano and materials) Various options for education, training and research Source: Statistics Lithuania, 2014-2015

Business friendly environment Ease of starting Business / World ranking – 11th [1] Ease of doing business / World ranking – 24th [1] Time for establishing a business – 3 days [2] VAT – 21% [2] Personal income tax – 15% [2] Social security tax paid by employer – 30.98% [3] 15% corporate tax rate – 4th lowest corporate tax in EU [2,4] Real Estate tax – 0,9 % [5] Land lease tax for commercial areas – 3 % [5] Source 1: Forbes, 2014 Source 2: State Tax Inspectorate Under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania, 2014 Source 3: State Social Insurance Fund Board of the Republic of Lithuania under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour Source 4: KPMG, 2014 Source 5: Biržai Region Municipality, 2015

A place to visit, enjoy, discover and invest in Biržai is a historically important Lithuanian town surrounded by pristine nature and fascinating tourist attractions. The centerpiece of the town is the Renaissance-Baroque style Biržai castle, a manor house originally constructed in 1589 and formerly home to the Radvila family, powerful nobles in the Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth. Today, Biržai has become famous thanks to its unique geological conditions, especially the natural sink holes and karst lakes. Biržai is also home to one of Lithuania’s richest brewing traditions. With craft beer taking off in Lithuania, the region’s locally produced ales have gained a reputation for authenticity and excellence.

Testimonials SLT Industrial Components SLT Industrial Components has operated in Biržai since the early 90’s. We produce assembled plastic, metal and rubber parts. We find Biržai and Lithuania to be a perfect place to have an advanced production facility. Quality is at world top level, delivery times to Europe is considerable less than from Asia and with rational manufacturing we can compete with Asian producers. We plan to develop our operation in Biržai and by that also have an even more positive impact on local community. SLT Industrial Components Managing Director Anders Stenquist Headcount: 150+ Est.: 1993

Department of Investment and City Development Biržai Region Municipality Administration Daina Kolomakienė Tel: +370 450 43 144 Mob: +370 682 53 930 E-mail: daina.kolomakiene@birzai.lt Zita Marcinkevičiūtė Tel: +370 450 43 122 Mob: +370 698 75 411 E-mail: zita.marcinkeviciute@birzai.lt Vytauto str. 38 LT-41143 Biržai Lithuania www.birzai.lt Partners: