Israeli ambassador to Lithuania Amir Maimon visited Panevėžys on August 6. The purpose of his visit was to expand cooperation and encourage the growth of trade between Israel and Lithuania, to meet with Panevėžys businesspeople and to meet with the Jewish community. The ambassador visited city hall where he met with the mayor Rytis Račkauskas.

“We live in the middle of Lithuania, in a favorable geographic location, halfway between the capitals of Lithuania and Latvia. We are a compact city favorable for business growth. We have large enterprises such as AB Amilna, the Panevėžys Construction Conglomerate and Panevėžio keliai, we have received foreign investment and we are pleased by the Norwegian companies which have been established here.

“We can be proud of the free economic zone operating here, this year the enterprise Devold should be established here, and two other potential investors are considering doing business here. We strive to make Panevėžys attractive for investors, so we have invited representatives of Israel. I would like to note that ten years ago a protocol was signed with the city of Ramla [in Israel], but sadly this process has come to a halt. One wishes one of the Israeli cities was among the ranks of our partners,” mayor Račkauskas said.

“Thank you for the warm reception and comprehensive presentation of Panevėžys. It is very important to me not just to know Vilnius, but also the other Lithuanian cities, because that’s were life is also going on,” ambassador Maimon said.

During the tight schedule for the trip the ambassador also met with directors of Panevėžys trade, industrial and arts and crafts centers, and with bishop Lionginas Virbalas. During the meetings the ambassador briefly spoke about his field of activities, hopes and about his country.

Later the ambassador visited the Panevėžys City Jewish Community where a warm reception was given in his honor. He later visited memorial sites with members of the community.

from: www.jewishpanevezys.lt