E. Grikšas: The ambition to ensure Lithuania's competitiveness remains at the top of the list of priorities

As he concludes his term as Minister of Economy and Innovation pending the appointment of the 21st Government of the Republic of Lithuania, Edvinas Grikšas thanks the entire team at the Ministry of Economy and Innovation for their professional work and the results achieved.

According to him, over the past 8.5 months, they have worked together not only to address day-to-day economic policy issues but also to strengthen the long-term foundations of Lithuania's competitiveness.

"Our goal was to build a country that investors, businesses, and international partners can trust," says Edvinas Grikšas, who is serving as acting Minister of Economy as of today.

One of the most important tasks during this period was the development and initial implementation of the new economic transformation model "3i" - Innovation, Investment, and Institutions. This model has set the course for Lithuania's economic growth, focusing on high-value-added sectors, artificial intelligence solutions, the defense industry, research and experimental development, strengthening regional competitiveness, and reducing bureaucratic barriers.

During the 20th Government's term, nine new investment projects were announced, with a total value of 607.6 million euros. International companies such as Rheinmetall, Checkout.com, Icelandair, and Royal Cosun have chosen Lithuania for their expansion, investing in the fields of defense, financial technology, aviation, biotechnology, and smart manufacturing.

In addition, "Vilniaus paukštynas," "Vli Timber," "Light Conversion," "Grigeo," and "FT Board" have been granted "major project" status.

Particular attention has been paid to strengthening the regional economy. In the first half of 2026 alone, the value of major investments announced in the regions reached 251 million euros. Among the largest projects are a 190 mln. euros investment in the Marijampolė district, a 39,1 mln. euros investment in the Jonava district, and a 21,9 mln. euros investment in the Kaišiadorys district.

Additional targeted measures worth over 81 million euros are planned to support regional growth. These include investments in artificial intelligence solutions, the startup ecosystem, investment zones, transportation and energy infrastructure, and tourism development. Work has also begun on establishing new industrial parks in Plungė, Utena, and Telšiai.

Significant attention was also paid to domestic capital investments. More than 100 meetings were held with Lithuanian companies to encourage their growth and investment within the country. The activities of "Invest in Lithuania" have also been expanded, with greater emphasis placed not only on attracting foreign investment but also on the growth of local businesses.

In response to geopolitical challenges and fluctuations in energy prices, the ministry, together with its partners, developed the ILTE direct loan facility for businesses, worth 100 mln. euros. Lithuania was also the first country in the European Union to approach the European Commission regarding the initiation of a temporary communication aimed at assisting affected business sectors.

The network of "Spiečiai" collaboration centers continues to expand. In 2026, new centers will open in Mažeikiai, Šakiai, Lazdijai, Šalčininkai, and Anykščiai. By the end of the year, there will be 20 such centers operating in Lithuania. A Silver Economy Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program has also been developed to promote economic activity and entrepreneurship among older residents in the regions.

During this period, Lithuania's export potential has also been strengthened. The list of priority export markets has been updated, the scope of international innovation partnerships has been expanded, and new opportunities have been created for Lithuanian businesses and research institutions to operate in global markets.

In the field of technology and innovation, the process of establishing "LitAI," the first artificial intelligence factory in the Baltic states, has begun. The project will create a national artificial intelligence infrastructure and enable businesses, academia, and the public sector to utilize cutting-edge technologies.

Lithuania has also become one of the leading European Union countries in implementing regulatory sandboxes for innovation. The artificial intelligence sandbox, administered by the Innovation Agency, allows companies to safely test new solutions and prepare for the requirements of the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Regulation.

These changes are also confirmed by the European Commission's 2026 Digital Decade Progress Report. It notes a 143 percent increase in the use of artificial intelligence technologies in Lithuanian business, improving indicators for cloud computing and data analytics, a high level of digitization among small and medium-sized enterprises, and universal 5G coverage.

These results show that Lithuania is consistently strengthening its competitiveness, building a high-value-added economy, and solidifying its position in Europe as an innovative, modern, and investment-friendly country.