Most Successful Economic Growth: Experts’ Opinion
Lithuania has been named as one of the most successful economies of the entire EU. Experts and analysts at the International Monetary Fund (IMD), World Bank, Economist Intelligence Unit (the research subdivision of “The Economist” magazine), the European Commission, etc. observe that Lithuania is maintaining an exceptional economic progress, based on macro stability and economic flexibility. The flexible product and labour market as well as strong international trade have laid the foundation for Lithuania’s success.
Lithuania maintained a stable average GDP growth of 7.8 percent during 2000–2006, one of the highest growths in the entire EU.

ATTRACTIVE LOCATION AND EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURE

Lithuania is strategically located at the gateway between huge markets in the North, East and West. The country provides fast access to the dynamic regional and eighbouring markets – rich Scandinavian, fast-growing Baltic, huge CIS and West European – within a 500 km radius. The European Union has recognised Lithuania as the prime transport centre in the region linking the EU with the East. At the crossroads of a number of markets, investors and businessmen find it really convenient to use Lithuania’s ice-free seaport, which is the most important and the biggest Lithuanian transport hub, connecting sea, land and railway routes from East to West and providing high-quality services complying with the requirements of the EU. In addition, Lithuania has a wide and well-developed network of high-quality roads and highways; the best in the Baltic States. Direct rail routes link Lithuania with Russia, Belarus, Latvia, Poland, and Germany. The main transit route between Russia and Russia’s Kaliningrad Region passes through Lithuania. Direct flights to major European cities are available from Lithuania’s international airports.

LEGAL ENVIRONMENT

The economy of Lithuania is based on the constitutional principles of private ownership, freedom of individual economic activities and initiative. In order that these priorities be properly enshrined, the entire legal system in Lithuania has been respectively adjusted. Since the real estate-related markets constitute a substantial share in both the local and international business environment, a modern and efficient legal framework has been created to support the successful development of those markets.

REAL ESTATE MARKET

• Newly constructed properties with strong cash flow is a focus of both - International and local investors.
• Due to the shortage of properties, sales-leaseback transactions come into practice
• All the commercial real estate sectors saw a striking compression of yields.

More information: http://www.development.lt; http://www.lb.lt; www.europe-re.com