Lithuania chairs the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) and is organising the 3SI Summit and an integral part of the 3SI – International Business Forum on 11 April 2024, in Vilnius. The purpose of the 3SI is to promote faster development and convergence of the region, by increasing the interconnectivity of the member states in the fields of transport, energy and digitalisation, in particular, in the region on the North-South axis, to enhance the EU's cohesion and consolidate the transatlantic partnership of the EU and US. During its presidency, Lithuania will focus on Ukraine and consolidation of transatlantic relations.
On 11 April this year, Lithuania will be hosting the 3SI Business Forum in Lithuania, inviting 13 member states and the 3SI strategic partners, associated members and businesses of interested countries, and investors. The Business Forum will be attended by high-level government officials. One day's event for business will include discussions on the matters relevant for the entire region, including safety, smooth energy and transport interconnectivity in the region. The most important projects transforming the region will be introduced and open for the businesses to join, B2B/B2G meetings will be held.
The participants of the annual Business Forum will discuss the long-term goals of the 3SI, with special focus on energy security and climate change, neutral economy development, transport improvement, consolidation of transatlantic cooperation and support to integration of the associated EU Member States, in particular, Ukraine and Moldova.
The 3SI Business Forum will also focus on financial measures for the region development, support to Ukraine and its reconstruction, digital infrastructure development, cyber security strengthening in the region and net-zero technologies.
“The 3SI Business Forum is a unique format bringing policymakers and business communities together to discuss energy, transport, digitalisation and other matters relevant for the region. It is an excellent arena for establishing new business contacts among the 3SI business communities and partners in Europe, US, and other countries in joint search for innovative solutions. The vision of Lithuania, as the presiding country of the 3SI, is strong Europe and strong transatlantic bond,” said the President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, speaking about the business forum to be held in the capital city.
The 3SI Business Forum will hold broader discussion of the projects transforming the region, such as, the Rail Baltic project, in which five European Union Member States are directly involved: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland, also multilateral road infrastructure projects, such as, Via Baltica and Via Carpatia. The Business Forum will also address the issues of the integration and synchronisation of the Baltic electricity system with the European networks, and other important strategic renewable energy and interconnectivity projects where business can participate.
“Lithuania again is in the focus of attention. This time, around of 20 delegations will visit our country. We have a strong engineering industry and world-class laser innovative solutions, with the sector of information and communication technologies producing 5.3% of the Lithuanian GDP. The country boasts a huge potential of innovations, therefore, we do have a lot to offer to international partners, and together we can create more possibilities for common regional growth,” said the Minister of the Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė.
Head of the Innovation Agency organising the Business Forum Romualda Stragienė expressed her joy for the Innovation Agency to be chosen to organise the event of such scale and importance, which will bring together business professionals and potential investors.
“This Business Form is an excellent opportunity for Lithuanian businesses to expand their network of partners and to find new contacts, thus enhancing export competences of companies and promoting internationalism of Lithuanian businesses. Participation in this kind of events is one of the most effective business development measures helping to find potential business partners, to combine competences, to share experiences and to create innovations. The stablished strategic partnerships with other countries give an opportunity for Lithuanian businesses to be competitive in the global system of innovations,” said Ms. Stragienė.
According to the head of the Innovation Agency, the 3SI Business Forum is an extraordinary opportunity to attract international attention to the Lithuanian economic potential, business opportunities, and investment environment.
“Lithuania is already a prominent player in the field of information and communication technologies. We are known for quality and well-developed infrastructure, abundance of young ambitious talents and innovative technology companies. The main fields in this sector are laser industry, financial technologies, software engineering and cyber security, where we have our unicorn. A big share of these services is exported, therefore, the Business Forum can serve also as an excellent platform for this type of businesses to show themselves, to find international partners and to continue growing,” said Ms. Stragienė.
The 3SI unites 13 European Union member states: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Greece, and 2 associated states – Ukraine and Moldova. The 3SI strategic partners are the US, Germany and the European Commission.
The purpose of the 3SI is to promote faster development and convergence of the region, by increasing the interconnectivity of the member states in the fields of transport, energy and digitalisation, in particular in the North-South axis, to enhance the EU's cohesion and consolidate the transatlantic partnership of the EU and the US.