On September 18, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the inter-institutional EU “Global Gateway” coordination group discussed the results of their joint efforts and next steps for increasing Lithuanian business involvement in Ukraine’s reconstruction and EU “Global Gateway” projects in developing markets.
“A year ago, we began by asking how Lithuanian institutions could work together to open up more opportunities for our businesses in Ukraine’s reconstruction and in EU initiatives in developing markets. Today, we already have concrete results,” said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sigitas Mitkus.
The Lithuanian Business Partnership Program has been launched to promote economic growth, resilience, innovation, and the creation of business partnerships in partner countries; information for businesses is provided through a “one-stop shop” approach, and companies with specific expansion plans receive consultations and practical assistance. Businesses are also regularly informed about opportunities at international business forums and through EU and national financial instruments.
“The additional studies conducted will serve as the basis for further decisions, particularly in developing financial instruments that would help Lithuanian companies invest in emerging markets and mitigate the associated risks. Our goal is for these measures to encourage investment and innovation by Lithuanian businesses, thereby strengthening the economies and sustainable development of both Lithuania and its partner countries,” emphasized S. Mitkus.
The meeting featured a presentation of the latest results of the coordination group’s work: an ex ante study on the internationalization of Lithuanian business conducted by ILTE, the first phase of the Business Partnerships Program’s implementation, and the results of the “Kurk Lietuvai” project titled “Global Gateway: From EU Policy to Real Opportunities for the Lithuanian Economy.” These findings provide an additional analytical and practical basis for determining what financial, risk-mitigation, and other measures are needed for Lithuanian businesses, as well as which thematic areas and countries offer the most promising prospects.
These results are a logical continuation of the work that began in 2025. After forming the Lithuanian “Global Gateway” team, the main opportunities and obstacles to Lithuanian businesses capitalizing on them were identified, and recommendations were developed for more effective business engagement in developing markets, which were endorsed by the National Commission for Development Cooperation. In 2026, the focus shifted to the practical implementation of these recommendations.
The EU “Global Gateway” Interinstitutional Coordination Group consists of representatives from the Ministries of Economy and Innovation, Finance, Energy, Transportation, Environment, and Foreign Affairs; the Central Project Management Agency; ILTE; the Innovation Agency; the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists; the Lithuanian Business Confederation; INFOBALT; LINPRA, and the Development Cooperation Platform. The group is chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sigitas Mitkus, and its activities are coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Global Gateway” is an EU strategic initiative aimed at mobilizing investment and building reliable, sustainable, and mutually beneficial relationships with partners around the world. At the end of 2025, the European Commission announced that, over the course of four years, more than 306 billion euros in investments had already been mobilized under “Global Gateway,” meaning the target set in 2021 had been achieved ahead of schedule. The total amount of mobilized investments is expected to exceed 400 billion euros by 2027.
