Going Halfway Towards EU Budget Programming

Lithuania's accession into the European Union has opened wide possibilities for assimilation of support brought by the Cohesion and structural funds. In this way, Lithuania has not only become an integral part of the common competitive economic area but has also gained the right to benefit from the financial aid. Namely these factors have stimulated Lithuania to search for and identify the strongest economic activities and efficiently exhaust those sectors that have the greatest potential for growth and are able to secure the country's positions on the common EU market.
At the moment, Lithuania is going halfway towards the EU budget programming for 2004-2006. This means that only a year and a half is left for decision-making and distribution of EU funds for concrete projects. Today we may already present results achieved in assimilation of EU funds and implementation of transport projects.
EU structural funds targeted to asphalting of gravel roads
Rural residents of Lithuania have probably been the first to feel the benefits of projects implemented in the field of transport. The largest part of EU financed projects is being implemented in rural areas, namely covering gravel roads with asphalt (in 8 counties), reconstruction of national and regional roads (in territories of 6 counties).
Even 40 percent of roads of national significance in Lithuania (8.7 thousand km) are covered with gravel. Asphalting of one kilometre of a gravel road costs 500 thousand litas and around 4-5 billion litas would be needed to cover all roads with asphalt, not speaking about roads of local significance and streets (50 thousand km), the largest part of which are also covered with gravel. The worst situation is observed on gravel roads with very intensive traffic, poor gravel covering that does not protect the road construction from the impact of transport loads and environment. In the face of growing traffic intensity and number of vehicles, there are plans to cover up to 200 km of gravel roads in Lithuania per year and the EU financial support will only speed up this process.
Invitations to submit tenders to the Transport Investment Directorate were announced in 2004 and 115 tenders were received. Nearly 80 percent of the whole limit of the European Regional Development Fund set for 2004-2006 (ERDF is one of the EU structural funds used to finance a part of transport projects) was distributed last year this amounting to 377.5 million litas. The support of 427.8 million litas was assimilated together with the budgetary co-financing. Of all tenders presented in 2004, 49 projects were selected as eligible and support agreements were signed on their financing, of which 9 were projects on transport infrastructure of national significance and 40 - projects on modernization of transport infrastructure of local significance.
In modernization of transport infrastructure of national significance, the European Regional Development Fund money is used for:
- covering gravel roads with asphalt;
- reconstructing national and regional roads;
- introduction of traffic safety and environmental measures on roads of national significance;
- reconstructing railways on segments Kuþiai-Maþeikiai and Vilnius-Stasylos;
- reconstructing underground pedestrian passages in Vilnius Railway Station;
- modernization of rolling-stock automated control equipment;
- drafting feasibility study Complex development of inland water route Klaipëda-Kaunas along the River Nemunas and Curonian Lagoon and its adaptation for passenger and freight navigation;
- reconstruction of perimeter fencing in Palanga International Airport using modern testing and control equipment.
Projects on modernization of transport infrastructure of local significance are mainly implemented by municipality administrations. In 2004, the Ministry of Transport and Communications signed aid grant agreements with 39 municipalities and the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service under the Ministry of Environment.
Aid agreements in the field of transport have brought the following results:

Name
Measurement unit
Result
Prepared technical documentation
number
10
Covering gravel roads with asphalt
km
253,5
Reconstruction/constructing roads with reinforced covering
km
177,6
Reconstructed crossings
number
9
Constructing/reconstructing pedestrian and bicycle paths
km
52,6
Reconstructing/building bridges, viaducts
number
2
Introduction of flight safety measures
number
2
Introduction of rolling-stock automated control posts
number
20
Reconstructing railway crossings
number
19
Reconstructing railway upper structure
km
92

All transport projects eligible for the European Regional Development Fund and state budget co-financing are being successfully implemented. Although the structural funds aid has just reached Lithuania, one transport project has been completely implemented, many of them are in the stage of finalization. 30 percent of funds envisaged in aid agreements (127.9 million litas from ERDF, 16.2 million litas from the state budget) was paid out by 28 October 2005. The money was used to reconstruct and construct 320 km of roads.
A new invitation for tenders on local significance transport infrastructure projects was published in the Official Gazette supplement Informaciniai praneðimai on 19 October 2005 and the daily Lietuvos rytas on 22 October 2005. Tenders may be presented until 23 December 2005. In the beginning of 2006, after selecting eligible tenders, the rest part of the ERDF financing envisaged for 2004-2006 will be paid out. Around 90 million litas will be given for projects of local significance: reconstruction of streets or roads of local significance in towns and districts.
Tenderers eligible for direct financing, i.e. administrators of transport infrastructure of national significance will be also invited to present their tenders in 2005. Following this financing measure, plans are made to realise the following projects:
- substitution of controlled landing system in Vilnius Airfield;
- arrangement of alarm system on perimeter fencing in Vilnius International Airport;
- modernization of the runway in Palanga International Airport;
- introduction of air safety measures in Kaunas Airport;
- development of Klaipëda railway hub;
- starting complex arrangement of inland water routes along the River Nemunas and Curonian Lagoon.
The aid of EU Cohesion Fund in Lithuania for international projects
The Cohesion Fund in Lithuania continues implementation of ISPA programme. The aid of this fund may be used only for implementation of transport infrastructure projects of international significance. During the period of ISPA programme (from 2000) the European Commission approved 10 projects (6 in the field of roads and 4 in railway sector), of which 3 were completely implemented. 10 applications in the field of transport have been presented for the support from the Cohesion Fund in 2004-2005, of which 8 have been approved by the European Commission and the decision regarding 2 railway projects (extension of railway station roads on IXB corridor, modernization of railway TEN network radio communications) submitted in August 2005 has not been passed so far. If the European Commission approves these two tenders, the limit of the Cohesion Fund planned for the Lithuanian transport sector for 2004-2006 will be exhausted. 565 million litas has already been paid out for implementation of these projects, of which 357 million litas has arrived from the ISPA/Cohesion Fund.
Three ISPA projects have been successfully completed, namely:
- modernization of IX transport corridor (Vilnius-Kaunas);
- modernization Via Baltica highway;
- technical support to the development of IXB, IXD and I railway corridors.
In summary ,69 transport projects financed as from the EU Cohesion Fund as from European Regional Development Fund have been successfully implemented.


Total project value, million litas
Costs eligible for financing
EU support,
million litas
National funds, million litas
49 European Regional Development Fund projects,
of which:
567,04

526,96
377,55

149,41

9 projects of national significance transport infrastructure
453,10
418,92
307,44
111,48
39 projects of local significance transport infrastructure
113,95
108,04
70,11
37,93
20 ISPA/Cohesion Fund projects
of which:
2.168,00
2.031,86
1.426,03
605,83
10 ISPA projects
978,32
951,23
507,5
443,73
10 Cohesion Fund projects
1.189,68
1.080,63
918,53
162,10

Kaunas Receives an International Award for Transport Development

Giedrius Kalninis, staff writer

Union of the Baltic Cities uniting 104 cities of the Baltic region gave the Kaunas City Municipality the award for the best environmental practise and the prise of 5 thousand euros. Kaunas won the award given every two years for modernization of public transport and ecology in the city. Even 10 cities of the Baltic region competed for this prize this year. Kaunas outrivaled such cities as Aalborg (Denmark), Linchoping (Sweden), Riga (Latvia). Cities' applications were evaluated by the Award Valuation Committee. It is the second award that the Union of Baltic Cities presents to the Kaunas City Municipality. In 2001, Kaunas received an award for achievements in reducing air pollution.

Union of Baltic Cities Encourages Sharing Experience
The major goal of the Union of Baltic Cities established in 1991 was to unite cities of western and post-soviet countries. The prime mission of the Union is to promote the cooperation of various specialists and politicians in different fields, encourage them to implement joint projects, solve problems and share experience.
At the moment, the Union of Baltic Cities has 10 commissions (Commission on Business Cooperation, Commission on Culture, Commission on Environment, Commission on Education, Commission on Health and Social Affairs, Commission on Information Society, Commission on Sport, Commission on Tourism, Commission on Transportation, Commission on Urban Planning) and 2 networks (Network on Youth Issues, Gender Equality and EU Coordinators Network). The commissions have been established to coordinate and implement different projects, organize conferences, meetings, seminars. All cities are free to participate in activities of any of the commission. Commissions are chaired by a separate city that establishes a secretariat, takes care of commission activities, projects, annual conferences, publications, etc. Every year, commissions arrange meetings and conferences that welcome representatives from all cities holding the membership in the Union of Baltic Cities and serve for discussing cooperation in specific fields.

Kaunas City Vice-mayor Adolfas Balutis speaks about the significance of the award and strategic guidelines for further development of Kaunas City transport system

Kaunas joined the Union of Baltic Cities in 1994. Since then, it actively participates in various activities, especially in the field of environment protection, tourism and business development. A secretariat of the Commission on Business Cooperation was established in Kaunas in 2003 to promote cities of the Union to share experience in improving business conditions and implementing business projects.

Kaunas receives the second international award
In 2005, Kaunas received the second international award. This proves that the specialists in the city municipality work hard and proficiently, and the chosen public transport development strategy is absolutely right. The survey shows that even 60 percent of Kaunas city residents use public transport services. Therefore we say public transport to be a priority area, give huge attention to the improvement and development of public transport infrastructure. The project documentation has proved that we have already prepared and are successfully introducing innovations in Kaunas public transport system. It is also very important to continue with the realization of environmental policy and urban development in the city.
There were several factors that brought the award to Kaunas City: successful renewal of the bus fleet, integrated ticketing system, sustainable public transport development, public transport development strategy for the next 10 years and provision of residents with information on the Internet, by SMS and in bus stations.

The quality of public transport system creates good image of Kaunas City
In the near future, audio information system will be introduced in all trolley-busses. The new system will be of great help to people with sight disorders, old-age people or under bad weather conditions. We hope that the system of a single ticket will induce young people to honestly pay for transportation services. Young people will pay only 11 litas for a monthly ticket allowing to use all kinds of public transport.
Another goal is raising the culture of mobility and ecology, encouraging people to replace their cars by public transport. In such a way we will avoid congestions in streets, reduce air pollution and accident rate, save time. I think that opinion that using public transport is not prestigious is absolutely wrong.
Buss trip programme is a project targeted to preparation of the sustainable public transport development plan with the goal of harmonious integration of the public transport system into the general city infrastructure, development of transport network in the city and its environs, systematic regulation of traffic flows.
The Public Transport Organization Strategy approved by the Kaunas City Council envisages investing around 50 million euros into the development and improvement of Kaunas public transport system until 2015 using funds both of the city and EU funds. We will further strive to make the second largest city of Lithuania Kaunas to be convenient and safe to live and visit, and therefore the quality of public transport is an important part of this goal.
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Refunding VAT Paid in Lithuania

Modestas Kaseliauskas

Head of the State Tax Inspectorate under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania

Modestas Kaseliauskas holds the Master's Degree in Law. At the moment, he attends Master of Management Programme at the ISM University of Management and Economics.
M. Keseliauskas works in the field of law and tax administration for eight years.

After Lithuania acceded the European Union, foreign taxable persons (companies, legal persons, organizations, etc.) started exercising various economic activities in Lithuania. They buy goods and services and are entitled to VAT refund paid Lithuania.

Who may get VAT refunding?
Taxable persons of all EU Member States have a right to be refunded VAT paid in Lithuania. Taxable persons from non EU Member States become entitled to VAT refund only in case a foreign country where the foreign taxable person is registered offers VAT refund (or a similar duty) to taxable persons of the Republic of Lithuania.
Taxable persons established outside the boundaries of the European Union may get VAT refund if they in the territory of the European Union provide e-mailed services and, using a special scheme for taxation of e-mailed services, have been registered as VAT payers in any of the EU Member State. Entities giving e-mailed services registered as VAT payers may request VAT refund paid in Lithuania regardless of the fact whether the state where they are established refund VAT to Lithuanian taxable persons or not.
The list of countries (non EU Member States) whose taxable entities may request VAT refund paid in Lithuania is not complete. It may be adjusted considering the experience of other countries that refund VAT to taxable persons of the Republic of Lithuania. If VAT refunding must be done, the whole paid tax must be refunded, in come special cases - 75 percent of the paid tax.
Which goods and services are subject to VAT refund?
Foreign taxable persons may be refunded input VAT paid in Lithuania for hotel accommodation, fuel, participation in exhibitions. However the main criterion for VAT refund is that the goods and services purchased by the foreign taxable person are to be used for realization of foreign taxable person's activities.
Foreign taxable persons cannot get VAT refund for cars, car lease, taxi services. VAT is not subject for refunding for goods and services serving entertainment and representation needs, e.g. catering, receptions, entertainment and cultural events, etc. However, taxable persons incorporated in the EU Member States are entitled to 75 percent VAT refund for goods and services of entertainment and representation character.
If a zero VAT rate has not been applied to supplied goods, although originally this rate could have been applied, and the supplier of goods imposed the standard (or preferential) VAT rate on the supplied goods, the paid VAT is not refunded to foreign taxable persons.
Procedure of VAT refund
The foreign taxable entity may ask for input VAT refund for goods and services purchased or imported during the set period of time that is no longer than a calendar year and no shorter than 3 calendar months of the same calendar year. A period shorter than 3 months may be taken for basis if these months are the last months of the calendar year.
The minimum refunded VAT amount is 700 litas. In cases when it is requested to refund VAT paid during the whole calendar year or the part of the year before the end of the calendar year shorter than 3 months, the minimum amount to be refunded is 100 litas.
The foreign taxable person wishing to get VAT refund must address the Vilnius County State Tax Inspectorate no later than 30 June of the next calendar year, following the calendar year for which VAT is wished to be refunded. This means that the request for input VAT refund paid in 2004 must be presented no later than 30 June of this year.
Assistance to entities wishing to be VAT refunded
The State Tax Inspectorate provides foreigners with efficient and well-organized services.
Comprehensive information about the procedure for submitting requests for VAT refunding, type of documents to be presented, the order for requests' examination, the procedure for VAT refunding is available on the website of the State Tax Inspectorate at the address www.vmi.lt.
Individual explanations and consultations to foreigners on how to get VAT refunding are given at the Vilnius County State Tax Inspectorate.

Addresses and telephones
Requests to get input VAT refund for goods and services purchased in Lithuania are to presented at the address:
Vilnius County State Tax Inspectorate
Ðermukðniø St. 4
LT-01509 Vilnius
Lithuania

More detailed information about refunding input VAT for goods and services purchased in Lithuania to foreign taxable persons is available at the Vilnius County State Tax Inspectorate:
Tel.: (370 5) 2742 550
Vilniaus.apskr.rastai@vmi.lt
Fax: (+370 5) 2687 689
Working hours: I-IV from 8 to 17, V from 8 to 15:45, lunch break from 12 to 12:45

Creating the Future Today

Virginija Baltraitienë, Këdainiai District Mayor

Virginija Baltrakienë was born on 4 March 1958. In the year 1981, she graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture with a diploma in economics-organization. V. Baltrakienë worked in the capacity of the Economist for Wages in Ðuðvë Collective-farm in Radviliðkis District, Economist in Planning Commission of Këdainiai District Executive Committee, Head of Economics Division in Këdainiai District Board and Deputy Head of the Board for Economics, Accountant for International Transactions and Deputy Chief Bookeeper in Këdainiai Branch of AB Ûkio bankas, Head of Economics and Budget Division in Këdainiai District Administration and Head of Administration. V. Baltraitienë was appointed as Këdainiai District Mayor in 2004.

A Glimpse to the Past

The history of the town of Këdainiai goes back to the 14th century. In written sources, the name of Këdainiai was first mentioned in 1372 in Livonian Chronicle of Hermann de Wartberge.
The legend says that the name of Këdainiai orginates from the name of a rich merchant Keidangen who came from Kurðas and founded a small fishermen's settlement. Archaeological findings show that the city of Këdainiai grew from a small fishermen's and farmers' settlement established in the beginning of the 14th century on the right bank of the Nevëþis River, in the same place where the Great Market Square is found today. The sources say that the settlement occupied 4 hectares and significantly grew at the end of the century.
Since the middle of the 15th century Këdainiai started to develop as a regional trade centre. This process was decided by several factors: in the beginning of the 15th century Kaunas-Riga and Vilnius-Raseiniai roads crossing Këdainiai were built, and in the middle of the same century the town welcomed the first German Hansa merchants. The middle of the 15th century was also the time when the rule of Këdainiai was taken over by the representative of the Radvilos family Radvila Astikaitis, and at the end of the 15th century Këdainiai was called oppidum Keidany. The same century the estate and the first Gothic St. Jurgis Church were built (1445-1460), the first market square - Old Market was opened. The treasure of the first Lithuanian silver coins shows that Këdainiai was inhabited by rich people.
In the middle of the 17th century the Old Market approaches became inhabited by the Jews, whose religious community (kahal) became one of the largest religious communities in Samogitia in the long term. A synagogue was built in the northern part of the Old Market, followed by a hospital, small shops and a craftsmen workshop. The Russian orthodox believers got settled in the southern part of Këdainiai, close to the Knypava Marketpalce in 1648. A wooden Orthodox Church with a monastery was built in 1652. The central part of the town, close to the central Didþiosios Pilies Street and Great Market was inhabited by Evangelical rRformats - the Scots who came to Këdainiai in escaping religious persecutions in their home country. Thus, in the middle of the 17th century Këdainiai was known as the town of various nationalities and religious confessions.
The first Independence fights took place near Këdainiai on 7-11 February 1919 during which the first lost Lithuanian volunteer Povilas Lukðys was killed.
The life in Këdainiai significantly changed after restoring Lithuania's Independence on 11 March 1990.
The Këdainiai environs attract by the unique architecture of old estates and churches, green parks. The Old Town of Këdainiai has been recognized as the urban monument of state importance. It occupies 87 ha and is one of the most visited places in Lithuania.

Këdainiai - M. Daukða's Birthplace

The land of Këdainiai is the birthplace of many prominent Lithuanians: one of the founders of the Lithuanian writing Mikalojus Daukša (1527-1613), ethnographer and national enlightner Mikalojus Katkus (1852-1944), Nobel prize winner, writer Czeslaw Milosz (b. 1911), priest P. Rabikauskas (1920-1998) appointed by the Pope John Paul II as a consultant in the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in 1992, the diplomat and the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of inter-war Lithuania Juozas Urbðys (1896-1991). The doctor Teklë Bruþaitë (1909-1996) and the winner of the Santarvë Award, priest and monk A. Mykolas Dobrovolskis (Father Stanislovas) (1920-2005) also lived in Këdainiai.

Këdainiai Today

Këdainiai District situated in the geographic centre of Lithuania is the largest district in Kaunas County occupying 20.8 percent of Kaunas County and 2.57 percent of Lithuania's area. Këdainiai District covers 167.700 ha, of which the town of Këdainiai and settlements make 4.400 ha, industrial objects and roads - 3.400 ha.
Këdainiai District has the population of 66 300, of which 92 percent are Lithuanians, 54 percent Russians, 0.9 percent Poles and 2.1 percent other nationalities.
The town of Këdainiai, the administrative centre of the district, is situated on the banks of the picturesque River Nevëþis. Këdainiai District holds the strongest positions in the county by having the largest share of industry, traditionally strong manufacture of agricultural products, the widest network of commercial services, well-developed business support infrastructure and largest number of foreign direct investment.
The railway, a part of the future Rail Baltica railway line, crosses Këdainiai and the highway Via Baltica goes nearby. These two transport arteries make the communication with other cities in Lithuania and foreign countries very convenient: Kaunas Airport is within an hour reach, while Klaipëda State Seaport or Vilnius International Airport - within three hours.

From Food to Chemistry Products

Këdainiai District stands out by the great variety of manufactured production - from food to chemistry products. The largest companies are AB Lifosa, AB Krekenavos agrofirma, AB Danisco Sugar Këdainiai, AB Këdainiø grûdai, UAB Këdainiø konservø fabrikas, UAB Vesiga, UAB Vikeda. The logistics centre UAB Rivona of the commercial system Norfa was established in 2004 in the buildings of the former electrical equipment plant, close to the territory of the future industrial zone.
The statistical data show that whole-retail sale, industrial, agricultural, forestry and transportation enterprises dominate in Këdainiai District, as they do in the rest of Lithuania. Such distribution of enterprises by economic activities corresponds to the general business development tendencies in Lithuania.
Këdainiai is ready to develop green-field investment, has available land plots with communications and engineering infrastructure. The average age of businessmen is becoming younger and the companies employ highly skilled specialists. The large territory of the municipality is one of the advantages and usually no difficulties are faced to buy or lease a land plot both in the town and its suburbs.
The Statistics Lithuania has recorded large investment just in a few municipalities of Lithuania. Here investors find reliable partners in manufacturing and services sectors, the production has good reputation and is competitive as in Lithuania as in foreign countries. These factors show that Këdainiai District is one of the most attractive in Lithuania for business development.

Town Festivals

The town of Këdainiai is well known throughout Lithuania for traditional and original festivals. Among the most popular is the Festival of Cucumbers organized in July accompanied by a theatrical fair the symbol of which is original cucumber dishes. During the festival, a King of Cucumbers is elected. Candidates to the title of the King of Cucumbers undergo serious and funny tests on who best knows the secrets of cucumber growing. The festival is full of witty jokes, songs and dances. The traditional Town Birthday is arranged in August. This is the day when the town of Këdainiai bursts in bright colours and smiles, singes and dances. The festival is a good occasion to build economic, social, cultural ties - we welcome guests from Svalov (Sweden), Zomerda (Germany), Brodnica, Torau and Lobez (Poland), Great Rostov (Russia), Kohta and Jarve (Estonia). The guests and participants of the festival - folk artists from Lithuania, dance and song ensembles from foreign countries merge with the city life. The Town Birthday invites all people to feel the rhythm of the past time and get in touch with the signs of the town history.

The Changing Face of Këdainiai

Këdainiai District is famous for its agricultural character. 2066 farmers' farms have been registered in the district. Farmers enjoy the benefits of very fertile soil, railway lines, agricultural science institutions and the National Advisory Service, companies engaged in fertilizers production, also abundance of companies trading and giving advisory services on fertilizers, chemical agents and veterinary preparations.
The District Municipality Council elected in 2002 attaches great attention to education, social provision and culture. In recent years, great focus is given to tourism development: various projects are developed, the EU support is planned to be used to make Këdainiai a tourism-attractive town. One of the recently realized projects is Drafting the investment project and technical documentation for renovation of Apytalaukis Estate and its use for Via Baltica tourism infrastructure development. Project documentation covers the renovation of the Apytalaukis Estate and its adaptation for active rest, recreation and tourism, arrangement of the park, cleaning ponds and making them suitable for active rest and sports.
The project Creation of Këdainiai regional tourism information system and development of tourism - favourable image plan has been implemented: the action plan for creation of tourism-favourable image has been drafted, data necessary for the development of visual information has been collected and systemised, visual information has been arranged: road signs, information and cartography stands, maps of places of interest in centres of local administrations, descriptive stands of the most famous and interesting places in Këdainiai District, information pointers in the streets and crossings of the Old Town. The municipality has prepared and published special Këdainiai tourism information publications.
The project Restoration and renovation of heritage objects in Këdainiai Old Town, their adaptation for public tourism needs, creation of active tourism infrastructure integrating all heritage objects in Këdainiai is under development. It is targeted to promote inbound and local cultural-cognitive tourism, refresh the existing tourism infrastructure and create recreation and entertainment tourism infrastructure integrating all heritage objects in Këdainiai Old Town.
One more project Reconstruction of external partitions and energy systems in Këdainiai District Pelëdnagiai, Pernarava, Krakiai, Dotnuva and Akademija hospital buildings aims at enhancing heat consumption efficiency and supply stability in hospitals, modernization of hospital equipment and development of hospital activities.
The documentation for the project Creating engineering infrastructure in Këdainiai industrial district (free zone) is under preparation. The would-be EU structural funds aid is planned to be used for formation of 16 land plots for green field investment in the territory of Këdainiai industrial zone with the total area of 150.16 ha (including engineering networks corridors). The smallest land plot is planned to cover 0.75 ha, the largest - 20.86 ha, while land plots from 6 to 11 ha will prevail in the zone. Actually, all land plots will have regular geometric shapes for best location of buildings.
At the moment, the municipality implements 12 projects, another 11 are under preparation.

Këdainiai Development Vision

The Strategic District Development Plan Until 2015 was approved by the District Municipality Council in 2003. The consistent implementation of the plan will help to create business and investment favourable environment, promote manufacturing the production competitive as in Lithuania as in international markets, start up and implement new business initiatives. Alongside the traditional industrial and business activities, manufacturing industry enterprises should get established in the district. It is expected to concentrate business in industrial zones, use modern technologies and economic knwolege for its development. Industry and business will be developed making no harm to the ecological balance, the efficient system for cooperation of industrial companies and SME's will be created.
We expect that by 2015 Këdainiai will become a place comfortable to live, work and rest. For this goal, plans are made to modernize and develop housing facilities, secure qualitative provision of energy and public utility services, develop commercial and services infrastructure, network of primary health care establishments, optimise the system of education and training institutions, improve education and training conditions, etc.

Productive Farming

Raising the importance of farming in Këdainiai District is one of our major goals. Countryside should become an attractive and safe place to work, live and rest, have a well-developed production and social infrastructure, offer profit-making agricultural and other activities. The maturity of rural communities must promote the diversity of cultural and education initiatives, enable the realisation of municipal principles. Agricultural development is based on large, high productivity and modern farms that operate modern technologies and advanced agro methods also manufacture competitive production, have stable contracts with local processing companies. The agro-industrial complex will help to develop efficient activities of all agro-sectors, enhancing competitiveness on local and international markets. Small farms producing organic products and developing non-traditional activities must benefit from the advantages of efficient farming methods, marketing and cooperation. The countryside will be also the place for developing alternative activities, like rural tourism, crafts, services and other small business.

Great Attention to Culture and Education

One of the primary goals is the development of the qualitative, efficient and available education system that must offer proper conditions for life-long learning, gaining social and professional competence. We seek for the implementation of knowledge society principles and introduction of information technologies what is the main factors for growth and development. Great efforts are laid in protection and restoration of cultural heritage, development of public infrastructure. The diversity of cultural life and tourism services, wide choice among interesting events and entertainments are the factors that attract both local and foreign tourists.
We work hard to achieve high environmental quality standards, create safe living environment, maintain public order and prevent crime.
Among the most immediate plans is reconstruction of the city stadium so creating good conditions for the football team Nevëþis to demonstrate its powers in the national football championship. Design works for a new sports complex in Vilainiai district, situated in Këdainiai suburbs, have been completed and construction is underway.
I am confident that Këdainiai will never stop developing and growing, new objects will be built, new investment will arrive and the town, dressed in new colours, will be ready to welcome all those wishing to come to town festivals, visit historic places, get settled and work. We invite all of you to visit our town, get familiar with Këdainiai history and present-day, meet hearty and diligent people.
 

Vilnius City Embraced in Forests

Director of Vilnius State Forest Enterprise Raimondas RIBAÈIAUSKAS

"The Tallest Oaks Rustle only in Jurbarkas Forests",
says the Director of Jurbarkas State Forest Enterprise Faustas BAKYS. A journalist Juozas GIRDVAINIS visited Jurbarkas forests and talked to the Director of the Enterprise.

The Magic of the Depths in Artist's Visions

Multilayer Signs of Time - Alfredas Juras

Spring, Dawn and Rebirth - Erikas Daugulis
 

 The sculptor Erikas Daugulis was born in 1951 in Šiauliai. In 1976 he graduated the Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts (former State Arts Institute). The sculptor is the member of the Lithuania Artists' Association from 2001. Since the years of studies, he participates in national and international exhibitions and symposiums, exhibits his works in World Medal Exhibitions (FIDEM). Erikas Daugulis has arranged 12 personal exhibitions in Lithuania.
The themes of spring, dawn and rebirth dominate in artist's sculpture and sculpture compositions. No less important is church art. A visit to Erikas Daugulis' home will make you familiar with his medals and original paintings, also his wife's, Neda Daugulienë's, ceramic works, paintings and water-colours.
Pieces of art by Erikas Daugulis are exhibited at the British Museum, Swedish Mint, Lithuanian museums and arts lovers from Europe, USA and Asian countries. The artist said, "I am very happy that my newest sculpture compositions are given by the Republic of Lithuania President Valdas Adamkus as official gifts both during his first and the second terms of office."

Address: Vytauto St. 151, Garliava
LT-53204 Kaunas District, tel.: (+370 37) 393390