Klaipėda Free Economic Zone
The Klaipėda Free Economic Zone is a designated economic area located in Klaipėda, Lithuania. It was established in 1996 and officially launched in 2002. The zone spans approximately and accommodates a range of manufacturing and logistics companies and their associated activities. The zone benefits from efficient direct multimodal transport links, including road and rail connections to major European markets.
History
The Klaipėda FEZ was established in 2002 and is managed by Klaipėda FEZ Management Company, a private limited liability company. Approximately 60% of Klaipėda FEZ Management Company is owned by the Baltic Fund, an investment fund financed by foreign investors, while the remaining shares are held by city enterprises, municipalities, and the Government of Lithuania.In 2001, the Rockefeller Foundation exited its investment by selling its shares to the Pierre J. Everaert Family Trust, which became the zone's largest private shareholder, holding a significant minority stake in Klaipėda FEZ Management Company.
EU accession negotiations initially created regulatory uncertainty for the zone. This uncertainty was primarily related to whether Lithuania’s existing tax incentives and regulatory framework for free economic zones would remain compatible with European Union rules surrounding state aid and competition after accession. However, Klaipėda FEZ commenced operations in 2002, In 2003, it secured a major investment commitment when Indorama announced plans to invest €80 million in a plastic production facility.
Since 2004, Lithuania-based companies have participated in the Klaipėda FEZ to attract additional investment. In 2005, the KFEZ initiated plans for expansion, and further land development, seeking support from European Union structural funds. By the end of 2007, KFEZ had attracted approximately €174 million in cumulative investment. As of the most recent reporting, total planned and implemented investments since 2002 have exceeded €825 million, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of investment capital inflows.
As of 2024, more than 5,000 employees are working in companies located within the zone, along with over 45 foreign investors.
Location
The KFEZ is located south-east of the city of Klaipėda, close to the main Klaipėda-Vilnius highway. It is located approximately 8 km from the Port of Klaipėda, 35 km from Klaipėda-Palanga International Airport, 218 km from Kaunas Airport, and 304 km from Vilnius Airport.Operations within the KFEZ
As of 2024, the zone encompasses over 100 companies representing 23 countries, with a combined workforce exceeding 5,000 employees. Since its founding, cumulative planned and implemented investments have exceeded €825 million.Companies
The following companies operate within or are closely associated with KFEZ operations :- Orion Global PET
- Neo Group
- Retal Baltic
- Glassbel Baltic
- Atlas Premium Lietuva
- Mestilla
- Be-Ge Baltic
- Pack Klaipėda
- Skuba Lietuva
- Klaipėda Business Park
- Albright Lietuva
- Green Klaipėda
- ANI Plast
- Heidelberg Materials
- Vingės logistika
- AD REM LEZ
- Lavango Engineering LT
- Lindström
- Rehau Production LT
- Baltic Comri Technologies
- Elme Metall Klaipėda
- Werner Wirth Baltic
- Etman
- Hawe Hydraulic