Lithuania
Franchising organization:
Tatjana Melehova
Baltic Franchise Foundation
Director Baltic Franchise Foundation
Elizabetes Str. 45/47
Riga, LV-1010, Latvia
phone (371) 67334346 fax (371) 67334350
e-mail:
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http://www.franchising.lv
Background:
Lithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory to include most of present-day Belarus and Ukraine. By the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest state in Europe. An alliance with Poland in 1386 led the two countries into a union through the person of a common ruler. In 1569, Lithuania and Poland formally united into a single dual state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This entity survived until 1795, when its remnants were partitioned by surrounding countries. Lithuania regained its independence following World War I but was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did not recognize this proclamation until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy for integration into Western European institutions; it joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
Geography:
Area: 65,200 sq. km. (26,080 sq. mi.); slightly larger than West Virginia.
Cities (2008): Capital--Vilnius (pop. 542,809); other cities--Kaunas (358,107); Klaipeda (185,899); Siauliai (128,396).
People:
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Lithuanian(s).
Population (2008): 3,354,700.
Annual growth rate (2007): -0.7%. Birth rate--9.6/1,000. Death rate--13.5/1,000.
Population density (2007): 51.8 per sq. km.
Ethnic groups (2007): Lithuanians 84.6%, Poles 6.3%, Russians 5.1%.
Religions (2001 census): Roman Catholic (79%), Russian Orthodox (4.1%), Protestant (including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) (1.9%).
Languages (2008): Lithuanian (official language) 84.6%, Russian, and Polish
Education: Years compulsory--10 (until the age of 16). Literacy--99.6%.
Health (2007): Infant mortality rate--6.9/1,000. Life expectancy--64.87 yrs. male, 77.20 yrs. female.
Work force (2008): 1.59 million: services 61.3%; industry 30.3%; agriculture 8.4%.
Economy:
GDP (2008, third quarter): $13.3 billion.
Annual growth rate (2007): 8.9%.
Annual inflation rate (November 2008): 10.9%.
Unemployment rate (2008, third quarter): 5.9%.
Per capita income (2007): $11,348.
Natural resources: Limestone, clay, sand, gravel, iron ore, and granite.
Major sectors of the economy (2007): manufacturing 20%, wholesale and retail trade 17%, transport and communications 13%.
Trade: Exports (January-September 2008)--$15.9 billion: mineral products 26.5%, machinery and mechanical appliances 10.4%, vehicles and transport equipment 10.5%, chemicals 10%. Major export partners--EU 61.1%, CIS 24.6%. Imports (January-September 2008)--$20.8 billion: machinery and equipment 14.1%, mineral products 30.5%, transportation equipment 12.5%. Major import partners--EU 56.5%, CIS 35.0%.
Lithuania has grown on average 8% per year over the last four years, driven by exports and domestic consumer demand. Unemployment stood at 4.8% in 2008, while wages continued to grow at double digit rates. The current account deficit rose to roughly 15% of GDP in 2007-08. Lithuania has gained membership in the World Trade Organization and joined the EU in May 2004. Despite Lithuania's EU accession, Lithuania's trade with its Central and Eastern European neighbors, and Russia in particular, accounts for a growing percentage of total trade. Privatization of the large, state-owned utilities is nearly complete. Foreign government and business support have helped in the transition from the old command economy to a market economy.
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NewsThe worldwide chain of McDonald's fast food restaurants plans to invest around US $1 bn into developing its franchises in Europe next year, the Reuters newswire reported. At the same time, they will pay greater attention to developing countries. "The potential for growth in Central and Eastern Europe is huge. We have only opened 350 restaurants in Ukraine, Poland and Romania, which have a combined population of more than 100 million and flourishing economies", says Executive Director Ralf Alvarez. There are 63 McDonald's restaurants in Ukraine in 19 cities. The total amount of investments since they began operating in Ukraine (since 1997) exceeded US $100 mn. McDonald's Ukraine has around 5,000 employees across the country. Reuters Sep 2008
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