Regional Strategy of Utenos Districts’ Region administrations Regional Strategy of Utenos Districts’ Region administrations 2011

Utena Utena – is the administrative centre of the county located in the north-eastern part of Lithuania, the county includes the districts of Anykščiai, Molėtai, Ignalina, Utena, Zarasai and the town of Visaginas.

ECONOMY AND TOURISM The County has a well-developed network of roads. Main branches of economy are textile, food and timber processing, beer and wine production, power engineering. Utena county is the second most popular tourism destination in Lithuania (after the seaside). Approximately 31% of territory is covered with forests. There are 1002 lakes in the county. They are connected by rivers and provide good opportunities for water tourism.

INVEST IN UTENA Utena has much to offer to investors. There are more than 650 registered companies in the Utena District. The Utena District Municipality is supportive of foreign direct investment, and is willing to work together with investors to make projects work. While Utena County is mostly rural, the Utena District is mostly urban, with manufacturing a large part of the local economy.

Strengths An attractive landscape for tourism development; Close cooperation between all levels of cultural administration: county, municipal and township; The area is rich in traditional public events and festivals, with active participation of the public and visitors from abroad. Weaknesses Low cultural tourism opportunities; The absorption of EU funds are too slowly; A large number of long-term unemployed; Skilled labor shortages in cities and drain to foreign countries. Opportunities Participation in various levels of national and regional strategic initiatives (knowledge-based economy, information society, etc.); Efficient use of EU structural funds on human resources development funds; Opportunities necessary to use the EU Structural Funds; Effective labor market measures to reduce unemployment; Threats Highly skilled migration to cities and abroad; Lack of funds for financing projects, the gap of financial resources utilization efficiency; Weak adaptation to EU requirements; Due to the lack of information technology development can form the information divide (part of the districts’ population, especially in rural areas). SWOT A N A L Y S I S

SOME PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENTS ON MEASURES To help establish new businesses subjects. To develop of existing business enterprises, The assistance in adapting to changing market conditions, To increase competitiveness and operational efficiency; Provide assistance to establish international contacts of co-operation with other entrepreneurs.

A GOOD BEGINNING IS HALF THE BATTLE…  "BALL-BORDER-BASKET" project is part financed by the European Union Community Initiative “Baltic Sea Region INTERREG III B Neighbourhood Programme”  “ClayTour” Development of Creative Tourism through the creation of Clay Art Centres in Daugavpils and Utena  Execution and administration of projects “Development and Implementation of Training Programs for Women, Parents of Children under Eight-Years-Old and Young People in Utena Region  And many many other examples…