Lithuania's Foreign Minister invited Honorary Consuls to help promote the country's export and attract foreign investments

Lithuania’s honorary consuls are expected to contribute consolidated efforts to achieving today’s key tasks of Lithuania’s economic diplomacy – the promotion of Lithuanian exports and attraction of foreign direct investments.

During the opening of the 4th Convention of Lithuania’s Honorary Consuls on 14 July in Vilnius, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis invited the participants of the convention to share information about foreign markets with Lithuanian exporters and to acquaint potential investors with business environment in Lithuania.

“We would appreciate if you could share the information on market access particularities and trade barriers of your respective country with diplomatic representations or the Ministry, as well as use your influence and intermediation to help Lithuanian exporters to make necessary contacts in local official and business circles and to solve arising problems on the spot,” the Minister said.

According to him, an active cooperation of honorary consuls and the authorities of Lithuania will help to achieve two strategic goals set by the national Government: to become the Northern Europe Service Hub by 2015 and Northern Europe Innovation Centre by 2020.

According to Minister A.Ažubalis, the importance of honorary consuls’ support to Lithuania’s embassies abroad has increased, as the spending for the embassies has been reduced due to cost saving.

“Your assistance in embassy’s political and economical activities, organization of visits of Lithuanian officials and business delegations is needed very much,” the Minister said.

The Minister also emphasized the importance of honorary consuls when providing consular assistance to Lithuanian citizens, particularly in crisis situations abroad.

Over a hundred consuls from about 60 countries are taking part in the convention on 14-16 July.

During the convention, the consuls are being acquainted with the priorities of Lithuania’s foreign policy, tourism and investment opportunities in Lithuania. The country’s export developments, issues of Lithuanians living abroad, provision of consular assistance to Lithuanian citizens abroad, presentation of the Lithuanian culture and the country’s promotion around the world, the development of scientific exchanges, and closer cooperation between universities are being discussed.

Participants of the convention will meet with representatives from the Lithuanian Business Confederation|ICC Lithuania, Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, Lithuanian Business Employers’ Confederation, and other associated business organizations. They will visit Šiauliai, Alytus, Prienai and Tauragė regions, where they will meet local entrepreneurs and learn about the most progressive companies, export and investment possibilities of those regions.

Currently, Lithuania has 166 honorary consuls in 74 countries. The largest number – sixteen Lithuanian honorary consuls – work in the U.S.A., nine in Italy, and six in each of those countries:  Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Poland.

Conventions of Lithuanian Honorary Consuls are held in Vilnius every three years. The first convention was held in autumn of 2001, the second - in the summer of 2004 and the third in the summer of 2007.