Lithuania business travel information

Doing business in Lithuania

With a population of 3,5 million, Lithuania is a relatively small, but potentially attractive market for foreign goods and services. Its geographic location, proximity to the EU and NIS markets, excellent infrastructure, very competitive living and operating costs, availability of high-skilled workforce is a good place for the foreign producers, suppliers in their effort to expand into global markets.

In 2004 Lithuania joined the EU and NATO. Lithuania’s strong commitment and effort to join the EU and NATO won broad recognition worldwide and helped the country improve its legal, tax and customs systemsa. All of which helped with development of the economy and commercial sector. Today Lithuania represents an open and rapidly growing economy. Gross Domestic Product rose by 9% in 2006 and is projected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years. The government has given priority to financial discipline, currency stability and other business friendly policies.

Lithuania’s private sector deserves substantial credit for its contribution to the country’s economic performance. Since Lithuania’s independence in 1992, Lithuanian business has shown remarkable enterpreneurship, initiative and the ability to adopt Western business practices and compete in Western markets.

European Union funds usage
Approximately one-third of the EU budget is spent for developing environmental, transport, tourism, medical, and IT infrastructure in less developed areas of the 27 member states. Lithuania is expected to receive several billion dollars from the EU in Structural, Cohesion and other funds for implementation of a variety of infrastructure projects. This will offer major opportunities for foreign firms in coming years as third country participation in the projects is welcome.

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In case of emergencies

Before you go on your business trip to , Lithuania you should always get a travel insurance with a complete coverage.

Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.

The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.

Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.

The non-112 numbers are for separate emergency services differ in distinct telecommunications networks, whereas 112 is available on all networks.

In case of urgent medical help you can turn to the Baltic-American Medical and Surgical Clinic: Antakalnio 124, within the Vilnius University Antakalnio Hospital.
Tel. 276-2020.
A friendly and attentive private Lithuanian-American clinic offers care for both children and adults; they do major and minor emergency care, as well as general, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Most resident foreigners, including diplomats, come here. This is the only hospital in Lithuania certified by all major insurance companies. It is run by highly qualified American doctors.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

If your are planning a business trip to Lithuania it is a good idea to know at least a little about the culture and etiquette in Lithuania. Use these business etiquette tips as a guideline only. There are too many social, personal and business nuances in Lithuania to be considered. There is no uniform approach possible for all occasions.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.

• Communication:
  Use formal names, professional and academic titles.
  Hierarchy is important in Lithuanian business.
  Lithuanians are not very direct, they prefer subtlety to directness.
  Never interrupt somebody. Do not speak with a loud voice and never brag about yourself or your company.
  Dress formal and conservative.
  


• Meetings and negotiations:
  When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
  Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
  Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
  Shake hands with everyone upon arriving at the meeting and leaving. Remember the hierarchy.
  Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
  Some time is spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
  Agenda’s are not strictly followed and a meeting can take much longer then planned. Every issue on the agenda will be discussed in detail.
  First appointments could be more socially oriented, Lithuanians would like to know you a bit better at first.
  Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
  Lithuanians are usually not pressed for time. They use time to their advantage.
  Follow up a meeting with a letter or email with all agreements outlined.
  


• Table manners:
  If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
  Wait until you are appointed a seat.
  Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little.
  Return the toast of your host later during the meal.
  Keep your napkin on the table, eat not too much but finish your plate seconds are expected.
  Keep your hands above the table when eating.
  After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
  Thank your host at the end of the meal.
  

Some phrases in Lithuanian

Lithuanian is one of the world’s oldest surviving languages, and is distantly related to Sanskrit, a religious and literary language in India. It’s one of two languages in the Baltic branch of Indo-European languages; the other is Latvian. Lithuanian is also related to now-extinct Old Prussian. It’s not related to Estonian. Fluency in English is increasing steadily.

Although in business most people speak some English, some Lithuanian phrases can always come in hand....

Hello	Labas, Sveikas, Sveiki
How are you?	Kaip sekasi?
I’m fine, thanks. And you?	Ačiu, gerai. O Jums?
What’s your name?	Kuo tu vardu? (inf) Koks tavo vardas? (frm)
My name is ...	Mano vardas ...
Pleased to meet you	Malonu tave matyti, Malonu susipažinti
Good morning	Labas rytas
Good afternoon	Laba diena
Good evening	Labas vakaras
Good night	Labanakt, Labos/Geros nakties
Goodbye	Viso gero
Cheers/Good health!	Į sveikatą!
Have a nice day	Geros dienos!
I don’t understand	Aš nesuprantu
Please write it down	Ar galite užrašyti? Gal galite tai užrašyti?
How do you say ... in Lithuanian?	Kaip lietuviškai pasakyti ...?
Excuse me	Atsiprašau!
How much is this?	Kiek šitas kainuoja? Kiek tai kainuoja?
Sorry	Atsiprašau! Atleiskite!
Thank you	Ačiū, De’koju, Labai ačiū