EIMIN: Rheinmetall site rezoned
The government today approved the rezoning of a plot of land for the Rheinmetall site initiated by the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation (EIMIN). The land lease contract is expected to be signed in the near future.
"Strengthening Lithuania's security and defence industry is a priority for us and this initiative is another important step to ensure the growth of this sector and to accelerate Rheinmetall's establishment in Lithuania. The land has been rezoned by government decision from agricultural to industrial and warehouse use. The construction of the plant will not only create at least 150 new jobs in the region and attract more than €180 million in investment, but will also make us less dependent on foreign suppliers," said Aušrinė Armonaitė, Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
The project, which has been granted a special land use designation, will be implemented in the village of Kemėrai, Radviliškis district, Baisogala eldership.
"This demonstrates our long-term vision and commitment to achieving even greater strategic independence in the security and defence industry. By making it easier for foreign investors to locate in Lithuania, we are contributing to both national and EU goals and ensuring common security," said Erika Kuročkina, Vice-Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
Special land use conditions will apply to the protection zones for electricity networks, roads, reclaimed land and land reclamation structures, as well as to the protection zones and belts of surface water bodies and their coastlines.
In June, EIMIN signed a contract with Rheinmetall for the expansion of its Lithuanian operations, thus giving the project the status of a major project. In July, Rheinmetall was granted the status of a project with urgent national security and defence needs. As a result, the Lithuanian Centre of Excellence for Ammunition will benefit from special investment and business conditions to speed up the construction of the plant.