It is estimated that at present about 70 per cent of companies established in Lithuania are concentrated in the three major cities. The “Lithuania Will Make It” initiative aims to encourage establishing businesses also in the rural regions of the country.
For nearly half a year Virginijus Doveika and Aivaras Čičelis, both members of SEB’s Lithuanian management team, advised young growing business together with five successful local businessmen – Vladas Bumelis, Robertas Dargis, Ilja Laurs, Vilius Kaikaris and Dalius Trumpa. Each of the five businessmen undertook to advise one company in the region from which they themselves come from.
SEB’s Čičelis, head of Corporate Banking in Lithuania, advised three young companies. He says that with this project the bank is aiming to strengthen people’s entrepreneurship skills and knowledge.
“It is important that people would not only think about starting their own business, but would really start doing it. Lithuania’s economy needs to have as many as possible small and medium enterprises established to achieve growth in entrepreneurship, thus bringing about a rise in the country’s standard of living,” he says.
Doveika, head of Retail Banking in Lithuania, worked as a mentor for five companies during the six-month period offering his advice and sharing knowledge.
“I hope that this experience will be valuable not only for the young businessmen who took part in the television project, but also to the viewers of the show as they are probably the ones who have or would like to have their own business.”
In total 15 hours of “Lithuania Will Make It” programming is available and will air weekly starting in September. SEB has supported similar made for television initiatives since 2007.