Latvia: Estonia’s Fibenol to invest EUR 700mn in biorefinery

Estonian biomaterials company Fibenol plans to invest EUR 600-700mn in a biorefinery in Latvia, ERR reports. Fibenol’s pretreatment technology will convert locally-sourced wood into biomaterials that can replace fossil fuel-based chemicals in various industries. The company had initially intended to build the plant in Estonia. Fibenol’s owner, Raul Kirjanen, noted that countries rich in wood…

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Lithuania: New players to enter banking market in 2024: central bank

New players will enter the Lithuanian banking market in 2024, Simonas Krepsta, board member of the Bank of Lithuania, announced, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview with LRT, Krepsta said that Polish banks had contacted Lithuanian regulators and the business community. He noted that the Lithuanian banking sector was “exceptionally profitable.” Earlier, Poland’s Bank Pekao…

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Lithuania: Income growth to exceed inflation 3-4 times in 2024: minister

The growth of household income in Lithuania will exceed inflation by 3-4 times in 2024, Social Security and Labour Minister Monika Navickiene forecasts, BNS reports. The Social Security and Labour Ministry expects that household income will rise by an average 12% on year in 2024, while the Finance Ministry expects Lithuania’s average annual inflation to…

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Lithuania: Talks with Rheinmetall on opening ammo plant: minister

Lithuania is holding “intensive and very detailed” talks with Germany’s Rheinmetall on opening a new factory in the country, Economy Minister Ausrine Armonaite announced, BNS reports. Rheinmetall’s top management met with Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte in November 2023. According to 15min, the new factory could produce NATO-standard 155mm artillery shells. Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann have…

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Lithuania: Russian attack on NATO very unlikely: defence chief

A Russian attack on NATO countries was “practically impossible” in the near future, Lithuania’s defence chief, Valdemaras Rupsys, stated, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview with Ziniu Radijas, Rupsys warned that diverging political statements and military assessments on the Russian threat created “some confusion,” which could scare the public. His assessment was that the possibility…

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