Lithuanian companies are showing solidarity and are discovering new opportunities
In just over a week, 176 companies have already registered on the Entrepreneurship and Export Development Agency’s “Enterprise Lithuania” information website “www.verslaspriescovid19.lt” and provided information on their capabilities to produce and supply the necessary tools to combat the COVID-19 virus. Among the names on the list are both already existed businesses and the newcomers to the medical market – businesses that have quickly reoriented and adapted their production capacity for the production of personal protective equipment, disinfectants and medical devices, which are currently in the greatest demand.
“We see that our coordinated Single-window system “Business vs. COVID-19: Supply Opportunities and Support” has proved its worth – it is actively used both by companies that are submitting their offers and by public institutions that are planning public procurement, as well as by the medical institutions, which need to purchase the necessary equipment here and now, also pharmacies and retail chains. We provide all parties with what is most needed in this situation – the opportunity to promptly receive information, make decisions and act” says Daina Kleponė, the General Manager of “Enterprise Lithuania”.
Today, Lithuanian business, which has survived several difficult periods in the past and is currently facing quarantine restrictions, has the opportunity to apply the lessons learned during crises. According to D. Kleponė, flexibility, the ability to quickly adapt to changed conditions, modify existing goods or start new production, discover new niches and customers are more important than ever for the businesses. “We are glad to see such examples among the companies that have submitted offers. In this way, businesses not only show solidarity by contributing to the supply of necessary goods but also ensures the continuity of activities, guarantees jobs for its employees and supports the sustainability of the economy” emphasizes the General Manager of “Enterprise Lithuania”.
Sewing companies are among the first to discover a new niche of activity. Both individual activity-based small tailor shops and well-known names such as AB “Audimas”, AB “Utenos trikotažas”, AB “Pakaita” or AB “Kauno Baltija” decided to sew masks, disposable overalls, shoe covers, robes, caps and the other protective equipment for medics. More and more companies in the cosmetics industry are involved in the production of disinfectants, for example, companies such as UAB “Cosmoway”, UAB “Dermofaktorius”, which owns the “Manilla” brand. In addition, there are engineering and advertising companies which have 3D printers and are adapting them to the production of protective face shields. State Enterprise “Nacionalinis kraujo centras” was searching for a supplier of protective face shields and using the database of “www.verslaspriescovid19.lt” they managed to find a company MB “Impressio digiti” which produced and delivered 250 units of shields on the same day. Companies that adapt their competencies and available technologies for the production of new goods have also been joined by telematics company UAB “Teltonika”, which is currently developing a prototype of artificial lung ventilation apparatus. Importers of goods from other business sectors are actively using new opportunities, they are using their supplier’s contacts in China to find the necessary medical equipment.
