ESIS extension / Key Person Contacts and Organisations / Lithuania / Update Memo 2

Changes in Lithuanian Government. New commissions related to the development of IS infrastructure. Lithuanian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts.

On November the Prime Minister Andrius KUBILIUS was confirmed. Mr. A. KUBILIUS was Vice-Chairman of the Lithuanian Seimas (Parliament) before. The new Finance Minister is Mr. Vytautas DUDENAS and the new Minister of the Economy will be Mr. Valentinas MILAKNIS. Mr. V. MILAKNIS (see Update Memo October - December) was previously the General Director of the private company "ALNA", leading in the IT sector. In place of the retired Mr. Sigitas KAKTYS, the Minister of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities Mr. Jonas RUDALEVICIUS, former Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, was appointed.

The Lithuanian Government Programme for 1999-2000 foresees selling 35% of the State’s shares in Lietuvos Telekomas, restructuring and partially privatising Lietuvos Energija (Lithuania Power), Lietuvos Dujos (Lithuania Gas) and the transport sector (railways, airlines, shipping). The Lithuanian Government has guarantied transparent reorganisation and has created Commissions to take charge of the privatisations in each referred sector.

The Commission on the privatisation of Lietuvos Telekomas (selling a 35% share). Chairman Mr. Virgilijus PODERYS, Chairman of State Commission on securities.

The Commission on privatisation of Lietuvos Energija. Chairman Mr. Vytenis JUNEVICIUS, Vice-Minister of Economy.

1991 witnessed the beginning of the formation of the system of the European model Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Lithuania was one of the first post-Soviet countries that underwent the essential changes for approaching international standards. Primarily, the system of the Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry was established. The Association of Lithuanian Chambers of Commerce and Industry was registered at the Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Lithuania in September 1992. In November 1995 the Parliament passed the law on Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Crafts.

Today, Lithuanian Chambers are the only business self governing organisations operating under the law. The Chambers are non-governmental business and industry organisations, which have already gained wide international acknowledgement. They are the members of such organisations as the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES) and the Association of the Baltic Sea Chambers of Commerce. Membership of the Lithuanian Chambers in these organisations creates favourable conditions for fostering the participation of Lithuania in Europe and in the world.

Lithuania Chambers are operating in 5 regional cities. The main 2 are in Vilnius and Kaunas.

Vilnius Chamber operates in Eastern part of Lithuania. President of Vilnius Chamber is Mr. Sarunas DAVAINIS. For more details see http://www.lithill.lt/VPPAR/.

Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts operate in Central part of Lithuania. President of Kaunas Chamber is Mr. Mecislovas RONDAMANSKAS. More details see at http://www.chamber.lt

Please note that this report has been prepared under the sole responsibility of the ESIS II contractors.
It does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission, nor does the Commission accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of information contained herein.
The ESIS Team of contractors welcomes any additional information or corrections.