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Lithuania |
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| Membership in EU: | 2004 |
| Political system: | Republic |
| Capital city: | Vilnius |
| Total area: | 65 000 km² |
| Currency: | Lithuanian litas (LTL) |
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Statistical Office
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Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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Entrepreneurship in the Country
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Business Directories
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Local Communities
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Business Communication
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Lithuanians prefer face-to-face meetings, as they need to build relationships of mutual understanding.
They prefer to turn business relationships into friendships.
Accept offers of hospitality and reciprocate, as this is the sign of a true friend.
Once a friendship has developed, Lithuanians are willing to discuss business.
It is important to make your initial contact with a high-ranking person, who is in a position to make a decision.
In many ways this is still a hierarchical culture, so showing respect and deference to people of authority is recommended.
Although they are industrious and hard working, most Lithuanians are very modest. People who brag are deemed arrogant.
At the same time, Lithuanians are impressed by titles of authority and advanced university degrees, so it is a good idea to let them know your status within your company.
Lithuanians speak softly.
They are not particularly emotive speakers.
They do not touch others while speaking and can appear standoffish and reserved upon the initial meeting.
It is important, that you do not display anger, even if frustrated by the excessive bureaucracy.
They do not interrupt others, while they are speaking and patiently wait for their turn.
Many Lithuanian companies adhere to a hierarchical structure. In such cases, senior-level businessmen only speak with people of their same rank.
More junior members of a team should not address a senior-ranking Lithuanian businessperson directly, as it is seen as a breach of etiquette.
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Business Meetings
Appointments are necessary and should be scheduled 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
Send a list of the people, who will be attending and their titles, so the Lithuanians can assemble a team of similar level people.
Confirm the meeting when you arrive and again the day before the meeting, since meetings are sometimes cancelled on short notice.
Arrive on time for meetings. Punctuality is important.
Meetings are formal.
There will be a period of small-talk, while your colleagues get to know you and decide, if you are the type of person, with whom they wish to enter into a business relationship.
Wait to be told where to sit. In many cases you will be seated across from someone of a similar level.
Presentations should be thorough, clear, and concise and include back-up analysis to support your position.
Expect to discuss each point thoroughly, before moving on to the next.
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Business Negotiation
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Business moves slowly due to the bureaucratic nature of society.
Be prepared to meet with several lower levels of people, before getting to the actual decision maker.
Lithuanians often use time as a tactic, especially, if they know that you have a deadline. Be cautious about letting your business colleagues know, that you are under time pressure or they will delay even more.
Lithuanians will not be rushed into making a deal. They must think it is in their best interest before agreeing.
Meetings often conclude with a summary of the discussion and a toast to future dealings.
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President
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Government
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Prime Minister
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Ministries
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Constitutional Court
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Legislation
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Geographical Characteristics
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Lithuania is the largest and most populous Baltic state. The country is primarily flat, with a few low hills in the western and eastern part of the country. Lithuania has many lakes and swamps, 30% of the land is covered with forests.
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Languages
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Lithuanian; also Byelorussian, Polish, Russian and others.
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Short History
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Lithuania has a very rich history – first it was conquered by Germans, then it was united with Poland and Prussia. After that, the majority of Lithuania was incorporated into the Russian Empire and later it fell under the influence of the Soviet Union. It regained its independence in 1991 with the fall of the Soviet Union.
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Time Zone
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International Dialing Code
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Average Temperatures
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July 16 0C, January -2,5 0C.
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Opening Hours of Banks
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Monday - Friday: 8.00am – 5.00/8.00pm.
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Opening Hours of Post-Offices
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Monday - Friday: 7.00/9.00am – 6.00/8.00pm.
Saturday: 9.00am – 4.00pm.
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Opening Hours of Shops
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Legally permitted opening hours:
Monday - Friday: 10.00am – 7.00pm.
Saturday: 10.00am – 3.00/4.00pm.
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Credit Cards
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The following credit cards are accepted in Lithuania: Visa and MasterCard–EuroCard. They are accepted in numerous hotels, restaurants and shops. Almost all petrol stations will accept credit cards.
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Foreign Currency Exchange
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Apart from the banks, foreign currency can be also exchanged in exchange offices, hotel receptions, tourist agencies, petrol stations and larger department stores.
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Mobile Telecommunications
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The country is almost entirely covered by mobile telephony signal, since the operators have concluded contracts with larger European and world operators. Mobile phones in the country are designed to function within the network of frequency bands 900 MHZ and 1800 MHZ. You can host in the following mobile networks: Bite, Omnitel, Tele2.
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Anti Smoking Law
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In Lithuania smoking is partially banned. The public places, where the food is served, have to be separated.
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Emergency Telephone Numbers
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Population of the State
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Population of the Capital
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Demographics
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Religion
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