New Lithuanian Commercial Attaché begins work in the UK

The new Lithuanian Commercial Attaché, Vesta Ratkevičiūtė, who was selected as the new Lithuanian Commercial Attaché to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, started her work in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Friday, 1 March.  

"We are constantly striving to maintain an active dynamic of cooperation with our foreign partners and to strengthen Lithuania's economic image in key markets. I have no doubt that the new Commercial Attaché will make a significant contribution to opening up new opportunities in the areas of exports and tourism, as well as attracting new investors to our country to create well-paid, high value-added jobs," said Aušrinė Armonaitė, the Minister of the Economy and Innovation. 

V. Ratkevičiūtė has previously worked in Singapore as Head of Marketing Strategy at Euromonitor International, a UK-based market research company, and as a PR and marketing specialist at the Velankani Group in India and the European Studies Centre in Brussels. She has also interned at the European Parliament, the Lithuanian Permanent Representation in Brussels and worked as a Senior Specialist in the International Affairs and Export Department of the Ministry of Agriculture.  

"I will continue to build on the work I have started and further strengthen our strong partnerships, with a focus on exports, innovation and attracting direct investment to Lithuania. Improving the business climate is also high on my agenda and I see great potential for our countries to develop mutual growth in trade, creating long-term value for both Lithuania and the UK. I have no doubt that my experience of working in culturally diverse environments with a wide range of business partners will contribute to an innovative and dynamic relationship," says V. Ratkevičiūtė.

V. Ratkevičiūtė holds a Master's degree in Political Science from Vilnius University and a Bachelor's degree in History and a parallel degree in Public Administration from Vytautas Magnus University.

Last year, the UK ranked 12th out of 208 partners in terms of trade turnover and was Lithuania's 10th largest export market. The turnover of goods between Lithuania and the UK amounted to €2.3 billion: exports - €1.5 billion and imports - €846 million.