The Lithuanian government and the Polish oil concern Orlen signed the declaration on March 27. It envisages the investments of the Polish company in the Mazeikiai oil refinery, while the government should reconsider Public Service Obligation tariffs for the company and examine the possibility of building a pipeline to Klaipeda.
The Prime Minister of Lithuania Saulius Skvernelis stressed that Orlen Lietuva was one of the most important investors in Lithuania. According to him, the government applauds the company’s determination to continue the investment in the Mazeikiai oil refinery.
“The declaration envisages further directions of cooperation between the government and Orlen, as well as modernization of the Mazeikiai oil refinery in an effort to keep it competitive on global markets,”- the Prime Minister added.
He said that the Lithuanian side confirmed the start of rebuilding of a railway stretch from Mazeikiai to the Latvian city of Renge.
The Chairman of the Management Board of ORLEN Daniel Obajtek welcomed the rebuilding of the 19-km railway stretch and asked for an analysis of the possibility of building a product pipeline to the Lithuanian port city of Klaipeda. He emphasized the importance of declaration for the concern and Lithuanian state as well.
“The declaration is very important to us, as it allows us to think about a certain field of operations. It allows us to ensure the interests of Orlen and the Lithuanian state. We are giving serious thought to the investment process and the modernization, as the investment will ensure safety of Orlen and Lithuania,” – he said.
The Government Vice-Chancellor Deividas Matulionis stressed that the declaration would also stipulate Orlen’s investment in modernization of Orlen Lietuva oil refinery in Mazeikiai, northern Lithuania, as well as the company’s commitment to keep the current number of jobs. According to the declaration, Orlen, Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai (Lithuanian Railways) and Klaipedos Nafta (Klaipeda Oil) will comply with all earlier agreements.
The business environment is steadily improving in Georgia. The Government of Georgia introduces three new tax initiatives that aim to support businesses in Georgia and increase the share of small and medium sized business in the country’s economy. The Ministry of Finance of Georgia has recently introduced new tax breaks which will apply to small businesses in Georgia. It’s expected that the turnover tax for the small entrepreneurs will be reduced five times upon the implementation of the new tax initiative.
Governments of the post-Soviet countries cooperate with big investors
