Lithuanian Economy Minister Ausrine Armonaite said she had no information on investors leaving Lithuania because of its soured relations with China.
“We have information on investors’ concerns, but no investor has left Lithuania or has real plans to do so in the near future,” Armonaite said during the Government Hour in the Lithuanian parliament on December 23.
Agreements with new investors are also being signed, the minister has added.
“We are signing major agreements with new investors for next year. We have at least 30 such agreements,” she said.
Next week, the government will decide on assistance measures aimed at diversification, according to Armonaite.
“These will be subsidies. The amount of the budget is yet to be decided, but the subsidies will be aimed at those companies that need a sudden injection of funds for reorganization, market search and certification,” she said.
Relations between China and Lithuania have deteriorated after Vilnius decided to deepen ties with Taiwan, which is seen as a breakaway republic by Beijing.
China is reportedly pressuring multinationals to drop Lithuanian suppliers if they want to continue doing business with Beijing. (LRT/Business World Magazine)