Diana Mickeviciene looks to enhance India-Lithuania bilateral trade

KOLKATA: To enhance bilateral trade between India and Lithuania, which was at US$208.75 million in 2010-11, Ms Diana Mickeviciene, Minister Counsellor of Lithuania, has invited Indian firms to trade in machinery and equipment, textile, food industry, medical devices, chemical products and plastics. She is looking for collaboration with India has in the field of research in science and technology and education.

She was speaking recently at a meet of the Merchants Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kolkata.

She said that educated, skilled manpower, logistical support, developed infrastructure and its strategic location made Lithuania a most favoured destination for international investors. Indian companies can use Lithuania as the main trading point for Indian goods in the Baltic region through Klaipeda port. Lithuania government has set up a number of free economic zones, industrial parks and will provide substantial fiscal and financial support to Indian investors. Since Lithuania is a world leader in laser technology, Indian companies can collaborate with them. It provides world class educational institutions in technical and medical fields at a cheaper cost.

As Lithuania and West Bengal both share commonalities like a booming construction sector, she mentioned that both the regions can well engage in the development of real estate sector. Further, she invited collaborative work with West Bengal in infrastructure, waste management and traffic regulation which are lacking in the state.